Belarussian Foreign Ministry on Monday, June 28, said it was suspending its participation in the EU’s Eastern Partnership, an initiative to boost ties between the EU and its ex-Soviet neighbours, a move condemned by Brussels as “another step backwards” after the skyjacking of a European Ryanair flight last month.

“We cannot fulfill its obligations under this agreement in the context of sanctions and restrictions imposed by the European Union. The Agreement will have a negative impact on cooperation with the European Union in the field of combating illegal migration and organized crime,” Belarus’ foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative, launched by the EU in 2009 and seen by some countries as a precursor for joining the EU, offers six former Soviet republics – Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia – improved economic and political ties in return for reforms.

It also added that Belarus’ representative to the EU had been recalled to Minsk for consultations and subsequently “encouraged” the head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, Dirk Schuebel, to return to Brussels and “convey to his leadership the position of the Belarusian stance”.

“Apart from that, in response [to the sanctions] Belarus will deny entry to representatives of European bodies and persons from EU countries, which have contributed to the introduction of the restrictive measures,” the statement said.

The European Commission expressed its regret over this step, calling it another demonstration of the Minsk regime’s disregard for the Belarusian people, who benefited from the cooperation. Belarus said it would also suspend an agreement with the EU on procedures to readmit people who illegally cross the border.

European Council President Charles Michel condemned the decision, saying in a tweet it was “another step backward” that “will escalate tensions further and have a clear negative impact on the people of Belarus by depriving them of opportunities provided by our cooperation.”

“Despite the decision by the Lukashenko regime to suspend Belarus participation in the Eastern Partnership, we are ready to continue working with the Belarusian people to strengthen the bonds, foster regional cooperation and tackle joint challenges,” EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said.

There was a reaction of the EU leadership to this decision of Minsk.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel said that the EU does not recognize the decision of the Belarusian authorities to suspend participation in the Eastern Partnership initiative. In addition, Charles Michel assured the Belarusians that they could count on the European Union.

“The EU remains open to continue working with Belarusian people within this framework and will continue to support the Belarusian people and civil society, as well as their democratic aspirations,” Nabila Massrali, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told several media in a statement.