EU Extends Sanctions Against Lukashenka And His Entourage

For the ongoing repression and support of Russia in the war.

The Council of the European Union decided to extend until February 28, 2025, the restrictive measures related to internal repression in Belarus and the Lukashenka regime's support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

"The decision was taken on the basis of the annual review of the restrictive measures and in view of the continuing repression and drastically deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, and the ongoing involvement of the country in Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine," the EU Council indicated in its message.

Since August 2020, the EU has introduced several successive rounds of individual and sectoral sanctions against persons responsible for internal repression and human rights violations in Belarus, as well as in the context of the country's participation in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Some EU restrictive measures include an asset freeze and a ban on the provision of funds. Individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban. At the moment, the list includes 233 individuals, including dictator Lukashenka, and 37 legal entities.

"With these measures, the EU is signalling to the political and economic actors responsible that their actions and support for the regime and to Russia come at a cost," the statement reads.

Belarus also remains subject to targeted economic sanctions, including restrictions in the financial sector, trade, dual-use goods, technology and telecommunication, energy, transport and others.