Relations with Belarus In the belief that the European Union had to engage Belarus to prevent it from moving closer to Russia, Westerwelle – accompanied by his Polish counterpart Radek Sikorski – visited Minsk in November 2010, the first such visit in 15 years.Judy Dempsey (22 December 2010), European Engagement With Belarus Takes a Blow International Herald Tribune. Shortly after, Westerwelle publicly condemned the judgments against President Alexander Lukashenko's main political opponent Andrei Sannikov and other opposition supporters.Lukashenko opponent jailed for five years Al Jazeera, 14 May 2011. As a consequence, Poland, France and Germany pressed their EU partners in to impose tougher sanctions against the Belarusian leadership following the crackdown and trials of opposition leaders in the country who held peaceful protests against the fraudulent presidential elections.Judy Dempsey (20 May 2011), France Joins Poland and Germany on Wider Unity International Herald Tribune.
Relations with Belarus In the belief that the European Union had to engage Belarus to prevent it from moving closer to Russia Westerwelle – accompanied by his Polish counterpart Radek Sikorski – visited Minsk in November 2010 the first such visit in 15 yearsJudy Dempsey (22 December 2010) European Engagement With Belarus Takes a Blow International Herald Tribune Shortly after Westerwelle publicly condemned the judgments against President Alexander Lukashenko's main political opponent Andrei Sannikov and other opposition supportersLukashenko opponent jailed for five years Al Jazeera 14 May 2011 As a consequence Poland France and Germany pressed their EU partners in to impose tougher sanctions against the Belarusian leadership following the crackdown and trials of opposition leaders in the country who held peaceful protests against the fraudulent presidential electionsJudy Dempsey (20 May 2011) France Joins Poland and Germany on Wider Unity International Herald Tribune