The UK Government is appalled by the brutal and ongoing repression that the Lukashenko regime conducts against its own people. We have strongly condemned the politically motivated sentencing and imprisonment of Ales Bialiatski. There are nearly 1500 political prisoners in Belarus and we continue to urge the Belarusian regime to release them all, immediately and unconditionally.

The political and security situation in Belarus is worsening. The UK condemns the role the Belarus regime is playing in Russia's unprovoked and barbaric attack against Ukraine. On 1 March, the Foreign Secretary imposed a first package of sanctions on Belarusian individuals and organisations who are aiding and abetting the invasion.

The removal of the neutrality clause from Belarus' constitution must not be used to allow further support for Russian aggression. The decision to change the constitution came following a flawed referendum which failed to meet international standards. We urge the Belarusian authorities to end the repression, enter into an inclusive dialogue with the democratic opposition and civil society, and offer the Belarusian people genuine choices.

We are aware of the announcement of joint Russia-Belarus military drills due to take place in Belarus in February. We continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly in light of current regional tensions.

The Prime Minister last spoke by telephone to President Putin of the Russian Federation on 8 May 2020 when they discussed the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the importance of global cooperation on COVID-19. The UK Government will continue to raise our serious concerns about the poisoning of Mr Navalny and the current situation in Belarus with the Russian Government. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary also raised these issues in a letter to Foreign Minister Lavrov on 25 September 2020. On 23 September 2020, the Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas raised these issues in a telephone call with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov. On 7 September, the FCDO summoned the Russian Ambassador to the UK to express our grave concern about Mr Navalny's poisoning. In addition, the British Embassy in Moscow will continue to raise these issues, including at Ambassadorial level with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Secretary has been clear that the UK does not accept the results of the fraudulent Presidential elections in Belarus of 9th August. The UK is calling for a thorough independent investigation by the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) into the conduct of the elections and the violent crackdown that followed. The Government supports the call for constructive political dialogue between the regime in Belarus and opposition leaders to find a way forward that is supported by the Belarusian people. The Government is concerned by the continued reports of intimidation, harassment and arrest of opposition figures in Belarus, which only undermines the prospects for dialogue.