EU Council extends sanctions against Belarus

The EU Council has extended sanctions against Belarus for another year for internal repression, sharp deterioration of the human rights situation, and support for Russia in its war against Ukraine

This is reported by Interfax.

The decision was made on Monday in Brussels based on the annual review of restrictive measures.

"With these measures, the EU is signaling to the responsible political and economic actors that their actions and support for the Russian regime are costly," the EU Council emphasizes.

Since August 2020, several consecutive rounds of individual and sectoral sanctions have been imposed on individuals responsible for internal repression and human rights violations in Belarus, as well as in the context of Belarus' participation in Russia's war against Ukraine.

The sanctions include an asset freeze and a ban on the provision of funds, and individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban. The list currently includes 233 individuals, including Alexander Lukashenko, and 37 legal entities.

In addition, Belarus remains subject to targeted economic sanctions, including restrictions in the financial sector, trade, dual-use goods, technology and telecommunications, energy, transportation, and others.

• On February 12, the Lithuanian Seimas approved a proposal to extend national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens for another year and to tighten checks on the entry of Belarusians into the country.
• On February 22, the Latvian Saeima passed a decision to ban the import of agricultural products and animal feed from Russia and Belarus.
• On February 22, the Czech government agreed to the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make the ban on issuing visas and residence permits to Russians and Belarusians indefinite.