EU rejects results of Belarus presidential election

The European Union does not recognize the outcome of the presidential election in Belarus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on August 19, adding that the controversial vote was "neither free nor fair," Report says, citing RIA Novosti.

"For us, there is no doubt that there were massive rule violations in the election," Merkel told reporters in Berlin after an emergency video summit with EU leaders. "The election was neither free nor fair. And that's why the result of the election cannot be recognized."

She added: "We stand with the peaceful demonstrators.

Meanwhile, The EU will soon impose sanctions on a "substantial number" of people behind election rigging, and violent suppression of protests in Belarus, EU Council chief Charles Michel said on August 19.

"We stand firmly behind the right of Belarusian people to determine their fate. The  EU will impose sanctions on a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression, and election fraud."