Russian parliament speaker criticizes European Parliament's resolution on Belarus

The statement reads: “The statement that has been passed represents not only a blatant interference in affairs of a sovereign state but an attempt to supplant the people of Belarus.”

“The attempt to substitute government agencies casts doubts on activities of the European Parliament itself. If we compare this resolution to other recent actions of Western countries, accusations aimed at Russia will become understandable. Western countries understand that Russia will not allow violations of international law. Moreover, we have signed agreements within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Union State of Belarus and Russia. These agreements will not tolerate the undermining of Belarus' sovereignty. In these circumstances it is obvious why the provocation involving Navalny is needed – to introduce new sanctions and block our country's actions to protect Belarus.”

“After statements of the European Parliament one can say that security agencies of foreign countries are behind the situation involving Navalny. If Western countries value such notions as democracy, international law, and laws, they should take measures to make responsible those in the European Parliament, who initiate such decisions,” Vyacheslav Volodin added.