Lithuania's ambassador going back to Belarus

"I can confirm that the ambassador of Lithuania is returning to Minsk today," spokesman for the ministry Mindaugas Lašas told BNS.

Bagdonas was recalled to Vilnius amid the European Union's (EU) move to withdraw all of its ambassadors from Belarus in the end of February after Minsk decided to expel two diplomats. Belarus was thus responding to new sanctions for violating human rights and persecuting opposition members.

Last month, EU foreign ministers introduced sanctions against 29 companies owned by three Belarusian oligarchs linked with the Lukashenko regime and blacklisted another 12 individuals.

The sanctions were for the first time introduced against companies of oligarchs Yuri Chizh and Anatoly Ternavsky, new companies of businessman Vladimir Peftiyev have also been blacklisted. The companies, dubbed “Lukashenko's pockets”, will be banned from financial operations in the EU.

EU diplomats say further steps will depend on whether Minsk allows the return of all recalled ambassadors. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis said last week that EU ambassadors would return to Belarus together.

Earlier this month, the EU applauded Belarus' decision to release two opposition figures – former presidential candidate Andrey Sanikov and his election campaign assistant Dmitry Bondarenko. The EU also demanded release of remaining political prisoners.

The Czech Republic has officially announced its plans to send its ambassador back to Minsk.