Minsk: Belarus on Wednesday accused Europe of 'gross interference' in its upcoming presidential election later this week. Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz told reporters in the capital Minsk that debates are planned today on a resolution of the European Parliament, which was adopted by lawmakers later in the day, regarding the presidential election scheduled to be held on Sunday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Glaz stated that the draft resolution represents a significant intrusion into the electoral processes of a sovereign state. He argued that it does not reflect the true state of affairs and is designed to exert pressure on the free expression of the will of Belarusian citizens.

Glaz further claimed that the Belarusian Foreign Ministry received a statement from the European External Action Service (EEAS) intended for release after the election. He criticized the preemptive nature of the condemnation and non-recognition by the EEAS, particularly their claims that restrictions on independent media access undermine the electoral process's legitimacy.

He noted that approximately 330 foreign journalists were accredited to cover the election, suggesting transparency in the process. Glaz also accused the EEAS statement of showcasing European diplomacy's ineffectiveness, despite Belarus's willingness to address specific challenges.

He criticized the EU's traditional rhetoric about supporting democratic rights and freedoms, labeling it as hypocrisy amid the EU's imposition of illegal sanctions on ordinary Belarusian citizens. The presidential election, in which incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term against four other candidates, is set for January 26, with early voting having commenced on Tuesday.