EU Expands Sanctions Against Belarus for Assisting Russia

The European Union announced on Thursday the adoption of new restrictions on the export of various military technologies and goods to Belarus, including firearms and ammunition. The announcement was made on the European Commission's website.

"These measures aim to expand the ban on exporting a range of critical goods and technologies that contribute to Belarus' military and technical development. The Council also introduces an additional ban on the export of firearms and ammunition," states the EC press release.

The European Commission conveyed that these measures are linked to Belarus' role in Russian military aggression against Ukraine. The document further specifies that these restrictions target "particularly sensitive goods and technologies that could enhance Belarus' military capabilities." The new measures also include a prohibition on the export of goods and technologies used in the aviation and space industries.

The decision to implement these restrictive measures was taken urgently in response to the situation, as mentioned in the announcement.

Previously, it was known that the European Union was preparing a package of sanctions against Belarus, which encompasses sectoral restrictions on the production of military and dual-use products, weapons, ammunition, aviation products, and technologies. These measures are similar to those previously imposed on Russia and are intended to block the flow of goods through Belarus to Russia that could be used for military purposes.

The EU has already imposed six rounds of sanctions against Belarus. The most recent package came into effect one year ago. The discussion about further restrictive measures against Minsk due to its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine has been ongoing within the EU for several months.

The European Commission also stated that the EU's sanctions against Russia have proven effective, limiting Russia's ability to wage war against Ukraine, produce new weapons, carry out repairs to existing ones, and hinder the transportation of its materials.

The European Commission is determined to make every effort to ensure the implementation of sanctions and intends to combat any attempts to circumvent them. In June 2023, within the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, the EU adopted new measures to counter circumvention. The EU continues to closely cooperate with third countries and will provide guidance and technical assistance regarding the application of EU sanctions.