The European Union last Thursday announced a set of sanctions on Belarusian officials and institutions, citing crackdowns on political opponents in the former Soviet Republic.
The sanctions were placed on 38 people, and included prosecutors, prison officials, and media personalities whom the EU described as ‘propagandists’.
It also froze assets of the state chemicals firm Belneftekhim. The latter ‘represents a fundamental asset for the Belarusian economy and foreign policy, in particular in relation to the cooperation between Russia and Belarus in developing a common oil market.’
Belarus has been under European sanctions since 2020, but as it is a close ally of Russia and a point used to stage the invasion of Ukraine, concerns have arisen about the use of goods exported to Belarus by Russian forces. Josep Borrell, head of foreign policy for the EU, said: ‘Today we are also taking further measures against the Belarusian regime as an accomplice in Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.’
The export of drones and aircraft engines was also prohibited by the sanctions package, and that of semiconductors, camera equipment, and technology with military applications.
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