Washington Post: Turkey influenced NATO’s position in Belarus

Turkey blocked the adoption of the NATO application, which would be said about “practical actions” against Belarus in connection with the landing of the Ryanair aircraft in Minsk, reports the Washington Post newspaper with reference to diplomats familiar with the discussion.

“According to the two diplomats that have spoken on the conditions of anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions, Turkey used its veto’s right to block any practical actions against Minsk, who retained the official partnership with the Alliance,” newspaper writes.

Wednesday North Atlantic Council announced a statement in which NATO allies called on to immediately hold an international investigation into the incident with the Ryanair aircraft in Minsk, as well as release Roman Protasevich and Sophia Sarega. The Allies also confirmed support for the decisions of the European Council on Belarus and expressed solidarity with Latvia “in connection with the unreasonable expulsion of diplomats.”