Belarus Will Respond Swiftly If Problems Are Created Against It – Foreign Minister's Reaction to the Situation Surrounding the Aircraft

Belarus is ready to invite international experts to obtain an objective picture regarding the incident involving a Ryanair aircraft. According to ‘BELTA’, this was announced by Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.

He noted that Belarus is not interested in escalating the situation around the aircraft; however, if issues are created against the country, the response will not be delayed.

It is reminded that the Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius changed its direction towards Minsk while in Belarusian airspace. The pilots reported that there was information about explosives on board the aircraft. Later checks revealed that the information was false.

After the aircraft landed, journalist Roman Protasevich was arrested at the airport, and a criminal case has been initiated against him in Belarus. European countries, responding to the incident, have expressed their dissatisfaction, raising the question of possible retaliatory actions. A number of European countries are advising airlines to avoid entering Belarusian airspace.