"We are united in our condemnation of the sham presidential elections in Belarus on 26 January and the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the Belarusian regime," a joint statement from Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and Britain, said. The statement was published on the British government website.

Britain on Monday imposed sanctions targeting Belarusian officials and defence companies after joining Western governments in condemning what they called "sham" presidential elections in the country.

The UK and Canada have joined forces to impose the fresh wave of sanctions in response to “sham” presidential elections held in Belarus on Sunday.