Belarus Leaves the Eastern Partnership Summit

Belarus withdrew from the Eastern Partnership (EP) summit in Poland on Sept. 30, citing "discrimination." The more likely reason for Belarus' withdrawal is that several European leaders met with Belarusian opposition figures during the summit and denounced Minsk's treatment of the opposition. Belarus has been difficult for Poland to work with, but the offer of a potential International Monetary Fund loan in exchange for democratic reforms could keep Minsk interested in the EP initiative.