**Hungary Blocks EU Statement on Belarus Election**
The European Union was unable to agree on a joint statement condemning the presidential election in Belarus as undemocratic. Hungarian representatives blocked the statement, according to sources.
EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas issued her own statement, saying that the January 26 election was neither free nor fair. She also called for the release of all political prisoners, who number over a thousand. The regime has been criticized for preventing independent election monitors from accessing critical stages of the electoral process.
Kallas emphasized that Belarus’s role in Russia‘s war against Ukraine justifies continued EU sanctions and restrictions on the regime. She said that the EU will continue to impose measures against the regime while supporting civil society, democratic forces in exile, and Belarusian culture.
**Hungary Refuses to Sign Statement**
Hungary refused to sign the draft statement, initially joined by Slovakia. However, Slovakia later agreed to support the text, which described the elections as lacking legitimacy due to human rights abuses and restrictions on opposition and independent media. Hungarian authorities maintained their opposition, consistent with their resistance to tougher sanctions against Russia and increased European support for Ukraine.
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