EU leaders to urge Cyprus to lift veto on Belarus sanctions

European Union leaders will try to break a stalemate over Belarus on Thursday by untangling a separate standoff with Turkey that has exposed the shortcomings of the bloc’s decision-making.

Meeting in Brussels for a two-day summit, leaders are set to confront Cyprus, one the EU’s smallest members, which is accused of holding up approval of economic sanctions on Belarus.

The sanctions plan follows an election in August that the West and the opposition say was rigged.

Draft conclusions prepared for the summit said EU leaders condemned unacceptable violence in against peaceful protesters in Belarus and did not recognise the election results. It added that “restrictive measures” should be imposed without delay.