Pavel Pavlovich Latushko: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador
Reasons for the sanctions Against Lukashenko's Regime
The sanctions imposed by the European Union against Lukashenko's regime are based on numerous violations of international law and human rights. The main reasons that prompted the EU to take such measures include the regime's ongoing criminal actions that threaten regional security.
Over the past four years, the EU has imposed sanctions on the following grounds:
Complicity in Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Conducting hybrid warfare against EU countries using illegal migrants.
Repression and the presence of political prisoners, including foreign citizens.
Evasion of sanctions imposed on Russia.
Sabotage on the territory of EU countries.
Hijacking of a European civilian aircraft.
Forced deportation of Belarusians to EU countries.
More than 136,000 victims of crimes against humanity committed by Lukashenko's regime.
Various other reasons.
Lukashenko and his regime are the primary cause of the sanctions, as their actions harm both Belarusians and residents of EU countries.
Sanctions on Furniture Manufactured by Prisoners and Political Prisoners
Sanctions on Furniture Made by Prisoners and Political Prisoners
In 2023, the Lukashenko regime exported furniture to the European market worth €121.4 million, compared to €216.9 million in 2022. Major importers included Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania. New EU sanctions now prohibit the import of furniture from Belarus falling under customs codes 9401 and 9403.
Sanctions on Equipment for Russia's Aggression
Sanctions have been imposed on the import of industrial equipment, including machinery, radar and radio navigation equipment, remote control apparatus, lasers, measuring instruments, and other industrial goods into Belarus. Various industrial products (Section XX of the HS Code) accounted for about 13% of the EU’s exports to Belarus in 2023 (or €186 million), with an additional 12% (or €173 million) being machinery and instruments (Section XVI of the HS Code). These items were used for military purposes supporting the Russian army. Their supply from the EU to Belarus is now prohibited.
Sanctions on Cable Equipment
New restrictions affect the export of cables from Belarus to the EU. Products with code 8544 ("Insulated wires […]") were a significant export item for the Lukashenko regime, amounting to €96.5 million in 2023 and €119.4 million in 2022. The latest sanctions package also bans the import of this product from Belarus into the EU.
Sanctions to Circumvent Russian Diamonds
In 2023, Belarus imported diamonds from Russia amounting to 246,800 carats valued at $35 million, significantly higher than the 28,300 carats in 2021. Exports of diamonds from Belarus also increased to 220,900 carats worth $30 million. This indicates attempts to circumvent sanctions on Russian diamonds by reselling them as Belarusian. The import of diamonds from Belarus into the EU is now banned.
Control Over Sanction Evasion
The new EU sanctions package includes a requirement for European exporters to include a "Belarus clause" in contracts, prohibiting the re-export of sanctioned goods to Belarus. European companies exporting defense goods must implement controls to prevent their re-export to Russia. Transit through Belarus of certain sanctioned goods and technologies, including dual-use items, is also banned.
These measures are intended to prevent sanctions evasion and enhance control over exports to countries supporting aggressive actions against Ukraine and other states.
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