The European Union (EU) member countries, in a unified decision, have agreed to increase economic sanctions on Belarus.
The EU’s move comes in response to Belarus’s support to Russia during its Ukraine offensive and the intense suppression of dissent by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, according to official sources.
While Spain, currently presiding over the EU, confirmed the decision, the new measures include an asset freeze on Lukashenko and his allies within the EU.
A visa ban is also imposed on Belarusian government officials attempting to enter EU territories.
As reported by European diplomats, the additional sanctions aim to limit the export of potentially military-usable material and halt the export of aeronautical equipment to Belarus.
Under Lukashenko’s leadership, Belarus has acted as an ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin, allowing its territory to be used by Russian forces for the Ukraine offensive since February 2022.
The EU has previously sanctioned the Minsk regime for its suppression of opposition starting from 2020 and its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
As a result, Lukashenko and those linked to his government have faced asset freezes and bans on entering the EU.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief