EU tightens sanctions against Belarus over Russian war support

The Council of the European Union has adopted a new package of sanctions against Belarus because of the Lukashenko regime’s involvement in Russia’s illegal, groundless and unjustified aggression against Ukraine.

Belarus, which allowed Russia to invade Ukraine through its territory in 2022, continues to support Putin without facing major consequences.

“These comprehensive measures aim to mirror several of the restrictive measures already in place against Russia, thereby addressing the problem of circumvention arising from the high level of integration between the Russian and Belarusian economies,” the statement said. reads.

The measures will affect various sectors of the Belarusian economy.

The main sanctions include:

• Extended ban on the export of dual-use goods and technologies;
• Restrictions on items that could increase Belarus’ industrial capacity;
• Restrictions on maritime shipping and the export of luxury goods;
• Prohibition on the import of gold, diamonds, helium, coal and mineral products, including crude oil;
• Ban on the export of oil refining and natural gas liquefaction technology;
• Restrictions on accounting, auditing, consulting, architecture, engineering, IT and legal services;
• Extended restrictions on road traffic within the EU for vehicles registered in Belarus;
• Anti-circumvention measures, including a “no Belarus clause” in export contracts.

The package also includes provisions allowing EU companies to claim compensation for damage caused to them by Belarusian companies as a result of the implementation of sanctions.

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