Philip H. Gordon: “I made clear to the Belarusian Government that only steps toward democratic reform and respect for human rights could…”

We have been disappointed. We waited for some time for last October's elections... but the political leaders have failed to reach an agreement.

These are very serious charges. We have looked at them carefully and came to the view that they deserved, indeed required, serious investigation.

Our core interests are better protected by working together than by seeking to respond to threats alone.

If we're not satisfied after this back-and-forth... sanctions go back in place. That's new and different.