USA can abolish sanctions against Belarus only after elections

American sanctions against Belarus can be abolished only in case there is progress in the spheres of democracy and human rights in Belarus, said the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon in his interview to Radio Liberty.
According to him, the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus can become an opportunity to demonstrate progress. Philip Gordon underlined that the elections in December should meet the international standards in order the American sanctions to be abolished.

The Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrej Savinykh has said to the Radio Liberty's correspondent, in his turn, that the Belarusian side is willing to develop constructive relations with the US, but sanctions against "Belnaftahim" concern set obstacles to that.