Sanctions will target the energy and technology sectors.
The European Union has prepared a new package of sanctions against Belarus due to its complicity in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In many respects, they duplicate the restrictions that the European Union has introduced against Russia.
As reported Bloomberg, the restrictions will affect, in particular, the export of key technologies and the energy sector. It is about banning the export of dual-use goods and technologies that are used for military purposes and can strengthen the country’s industrial potential.
In addition, sanctions on oil, coal, steel products and gold, trade restrictions on luxury goods, investments and the provision of certain services may be imposed against Belarus, as well as measures that could hit the aviation and energy sectors and key sources of income for Belarus.
The draft contains exemptions for medicines, agricultural and food products, as well as permits for relevant financial transactions involving sanctioned persons. In addition, there will be an opportunity to prosecute those who help circumvent the sanctions imposed on Belarusian individuals and legal entities.
The adoption of a new package of sanctions against Belarus will require the consent of all EU member states.
Sanctions against Belarus
On 5 July 2022, the UK Govt introduced new economic, trade and transport sanctions against Belarus, as the regime of Alexander Lukashenko continues to actively facilitate the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine.
In October 2022, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Ireland took the position that the European Union should introduce against Belarus the same sanctions as against Russia.
In addition, on January 15, 2023, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi imposed sanctions against 198 citizens of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus. Restrictive measures are introduced for a period of 10 years.