Switzerland joins new EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus

This was reported on the Swiss government’s official website.

"Switzerland is thus adopting the additional sanctions decided by the EU in response to Russia’s continuing military aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Belarus. The changes will take effect on 24 December," the statement reads.

The Swiss government added that sanctioned individuals will also face entry and transit bans through Switzerland.

"The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has further adopted the individual financial sanctions that the EU has imposed on Belarus as part of its sanctions regime against the country due to the situation there," noted the Swiss government.

These measures target various judges who issued politically motivated verdicts against citizens opposing the regime of the self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko, as well as the system and brutality of Belarusian law enforcement agencies.

The sanctions also apply to heads of various prisons and detention centers where political prisoners are held. Restrictions were also imposed on the head of the medical unit in one of these institutions, where detainees endure inhumane conditions.

• On December 16, the European Union approved a new package of sanctions against 54 individuals and 30 companies involved in undermining Ukraine's sovereignty. The EU also intends to introduce the 16th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation on February 24, 2025, on the third anniversary of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.