Belarus recalls UK ambassador over 'hostile, unfriendly' actions

Decision in response to unprecedented sanctions, moves by UK to inflict maximum damage to Belarus, says Foreign Ministry

By Dmitri Chirclu

MINSK, Belarus (AA) – Belarus on Friday recalled its ambassador to the UK in response to “hostile and unfriendly” actions by London.

The decision “to downgrade diplomatic relations with the UK to the level of charge d’affaires” was taken “in view of a number of unfriendly moves by the UK that seek to inflict maximum damage to Belarusians and Belarusian legal entities,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Full-fledged dialogue” between Belarus and the UK “was debilitated by unprecedented sanctions against Belarusian citizens, employees of enterprises, Belarusian economy and the financial system, the restriction of the work of Belarusian journalists and mass media outlets, the groundless ban on Belavia Airlines,” the ministry said on Twitter.

The ministry, however, emphasized that the move “does not mean that the channels of communication with London will be disrupted.”

“We have not initiated any steps against this country and we remain committed to a mutually respectful and constructive dialogue,” it added.

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