The European Union is considering adopting a new package of sanctions against Belarus due to the political situation in the country, an EU official told reporters in Brussels on Friday.

"We are talking about adopting new sanctions in the current situation," the official said, adding that potential fresh sanctions will be discussed at the meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, December 16, after the block's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas proposed the move.

Furthermore, the EU representative criticized the upcoming Belarusian presidential elections, scheduled for January 26, in which long-time President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to run for another term.