Belarus crisis: EU says it does not recognise election results

Bloc declares solidarity with protests against Lukashenko's grip on power as it vows to press ahead with sanctions

The EU has said it does not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as Belarus's president and vowed to press ahead with sanctions on his regime, following an emergency summit in response to 10 days of protests that have shaken the autocrat's 26-year grip on power.

The European Union stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus," said Charles Michel, the European council president, who convened the last-minute meeting of the EU's 27 leaders. Belarus's presidential elections had been neither free nor fair and did not meet international standards", he said. We don't recognise the results presented by the Belarus authorities."