The Lukashenko regime continues to pay a high price for its loyalty to the Kremlin. Belarus, which has become a gray area for Russia to bypass sanctions and a military foothold, is once again at the center of tough economic restrictions. The new EU sanctions package sends a clear message: support for Russian aggression, involvement in military supplies, and the intensification of internal repression will not go unanswered. Lukashenko has chosen the path of isolation and dependence on Moscow.
The new sanctions package targets key areas of the economy, trade, and industry and strengthens the control over the enforcement of existing restrictions. The new package further harmonizes trade sanctions against Lukashenko's regime and Russia.
One of the central elements of the new sanctions package is the expansion of the list of goods banned for export and import. Specifically, the EU now bans the supply of goods to Belarus that contribute to military and technological development, including components used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. The following items are now under sanctions:
Chemical precursors used in riot control agents,
Software for numerical control equipment,
Controllers used in drones,
Chemical elements, pyrotechnic products, and flammable materials.
To minimize the risk of circumventing the sanctions, the list of goods and technologies prohibited for transit through Belarus has also been expanded, particularly those that could strengthen Belarus' military-industrial capabilities. The EU has also introduced a new criterion for inclusion in the sanctions list: supporting or benefiting from Belarus' defense industry.
The EU has imposed strict limitations on the development of Belarus' energy sector. The sale, supply, transfer, and export of software related to oil and gas exploration are now prohibited. This will significantly hinder the regime's capabilities in mineral extraction and exploration, while minimizing the risk of circumventing the sanctions via Belarus.
Sanctions have also targeted software that could be used for enterprise management and industrial design. This means that the regime will no longer be able to obtain:
Enterprise management systems,
Software for industrial design and production. Moreover, the transfer of intellectual property and commercial secrets related to these programs is now prohibited. This will seriously limit the technological development of the regime's defense industry, its manufacturing sector, and the government apparatus.
The new sanctions package also affects the import of primary aluminum. This is important because Belarus was used as a transit point for Russia to bypass sanctions on this metal.
The EU is taking decisive steps to eliminate the possibility of sanction evasion, including through the use of crypto assets. Under the new package, stringent requirements are being introduced for companies, which now must:
Report suspicious transactions to financial intelligence units,
Provide any information about potential sanctions violations within two weeks of receiving it.
Additionally, liability is being established for European companies operating outside the EU, including subsidiaries in Belarus. This means that the Belarusian regime will not be able to use foreign companies to circumvent sanctions.
Despite the tough economic restrictions, the EU is taking steps to support Belarus' civil society. In particular, the possibility of transporting cash for personal needs remains. There are also exemptions for humanitarian and medical purposes.
"The new sanctions show that Belarus, because of Lukashenko, is turning into an appendage of Russia's military machine. The EU aims to close the loopholes for sanctions evasion and stop fueling the dictators' military economies. It is important to understand that all these sanctions were imposed because Lukashenko supports Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Europe will not turn a blind eye to the crimes of Lukashenko's regime, its support for Russian aggression, and internal repression.
However, despite the tough measures, Europe continues to support Belarus' civil society, showing that the country's future should not depend on the Kremlin and its puppets. All restrictions will remain in place and will only intensify until democratic changes occur in Belarus", said Pavel Latushka.
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