EU Approves Sectoral Economic Sanctions against the Lukashenka Regime

They relate to oil products, potash fertilizers, and access to EU capital markets.

The EU Council imposes new sanctions against the Belarusian authorities over the incident with the forced landing of the Ryanair plane in Minsk, as well as over human rights violations and ongoing repression, Radio Liberty Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak reports.

In connection with the decision of the EU Council, the following restrictive measures are introduced:

- Regarding the export and transfer of equipment, technologies, or software intended for use in the interests of the Belarusian authorities in monitoring or intercepting the Internet and telephone communications on mobile or stationary devices.

- Regarding the export to Belarus of dual-use goods for military use.

- Regarding the export to Belarus of goods used for tobacco products.

- Regarding the import of oil products from Belarus to the EU.

- Regarding imports of potash fertilizers from Belarus to the EU.

- Regarding access to the EU financial markets for the Belarusian government, as well as for the Belarusian state financial institutions and subjects.

- The European Investment Bank is prohibited from financing projects in the public sector of Belarus.

The relevant decision points are worded as follows:

- It is prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer from Belarus 5 types of oil products.

- It is prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer from Belarus 5 types of potassium chloride products.

- It is prohibited to directly or indirectly buy, sell, provide investment services or assistance in the issuance of reverse securities with a maturity of more than 90 days to Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, and Belagroprombank.

- It is forbidden, directly or indirectly, to conclude or participate in any agreements on the issuance of new loans or credits with a maturity of more than 90 days to Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, and Belagroprombank.

The European Union last week approved the fourth package of sanctions against the Belarusian authorities after the 2020 presidential elections. The restrictive list includes 78 people and eight companies whose assets will be frozen. Following the EU, sanctions against individuals and legal entities associated with the Lukashenka regime were imposed by the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The sanctions list includes such companies as MAZ, BelAZ, Belaeronavigatsia, Bremino Group, Globalcustom, New Oil Company, Logex, and Sohra. Individuals include judges, investigators, prosecutors, deputies, representatives of state media, the administration of some universities, officials, and businessmen.