Saudi Gazette report

LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met here on Tuesday with the Belarusian opposition leader, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

During the meeting with Tikhanovskaya, Johnson condemned the current Belarusian regime led by President Alexander Lukashenko for human rights violations and persecution of pro-democracy figures, including her and her husband, the UK government said in a press statement.

Johnson outlined the steps the United Kingdom has taken to hold the regime to account, including placing sanctions on Lukashenko himself. He stressed the UK’s commitment to the Belarusian people, in particular through tripling our financial support to Belarusian civil society this year.

Johnson and Tikhanovskaya agreed that the British and Belarusian people share fundamental values such as a belief in democracy, human rights and rule of law. Johnson said the UK stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and will continue to take action to support them.