European Union (EU) ambassadors plan to discuss expanding sanctions against Belarus to stop circumvention of restrictions against Russia selling banned goods through its ally.
Reuters writes about it.
According to the agencyʼs sources, it was, in particular, about bringing the sanctions against Belarus into line with the sanctions against Russia.
According to diplomats, they are likely to consider restrictions on the import of oil, coal and gold from Belarus, as well as on the export of certain equipment and technologies that can be used by the military.
The European Union has imposed a wide range of sanctions against Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Restrictions were also imposed on Belarus for allowing Russia to transfer its troops and equipment and launch missiles from its territory. These sanctions cover tobacco products, mineral fuels, wood products, steel and rubber.
The EU also introduced a ban on operations with the Central Bank of Belarus and the issuance of euro-denominated banknotes, introduced limits on financial receipts from Belarus, and banned the exchange of SWIFT messages between five Belarusian banks.
- Bloomberg also wrote that the European Union proposed a new round of large-scale sanctions against Belarus for supporting Russiaʼs invasion of Ukraine.
- On January 27, the Council of the EU extended economic sanctions against Russia for another six months. They will be valid until July 31, 2023.
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called on the European Union to speed up work on a new package of sanctions against Russia and to direct it against the Russian missile industry. Ukraine also insists on a full energy embargo, an extension of the oil embargo on the northern branch of the Druzhba gas pipeline, and a ban on the import of liquefied gas from Russia. In addition, Ukraine calls for the introduction of sanctions against Rosatom, the suspension of Russiaʼs rights at the IAEA, and a complete ban on Russian propaganda in the EU.