Mike Pompeo: Citizens of Belarus Must Find Freedom

The White House is following the development of events in our country.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Wednesday appealed to the Belarusian authorities to ensure the country's citizens the freedoms they demand, "Novoye Vremya" writes.

"We want the people of Belarus to have the freedoms they are demanding. We urge that the non-violent protesters be protected, not harmed," Pompeo said at a news conference with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

Earlier, white house spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany, commenting on the protests that began in Belarus after the presidential election on Sunday, called on the country's authorities to refrain from using force against protesters and respect the right of people to assemble peaceably.

"We urge the Belarusian government to respect the right of people to peaceably assemble and to refrain from the use of force," McEnany said at a briefing on Monday.

She noted that the White House is following the development of events in Belarus and is "deeply concerned" about what is happening.