European Union member states have agreed to impose new sanctions against Belarus in order to align existing measures with those imposed on Russia. This move is intended to prevent Moscow from bypassing restrictions through its relationship with Minsk. The agreement was reached by EU ambassadors and is seen as a means to strengthen measures in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly by addressing the issue of sanctions circumvention.
According to the Belgian presidency, the new sanctions package will enhance the bloc’s response to Russia’s actions and close a major loophole in the existing sanctions. The customs union between Russia and Belarus has made it easier for the countries to evade punitive measures, prompting the need for alignment of sanctions. The goal is to mirror the sanction measures against Russia with those imposed on Belarus, thereby limiting Minsk’s support for Moscow’s efforts to circumvent sanctions and aid in its war effort.
The package of sanctions has been under consideration by EU ambassadors for nearly two years, with the main obstacle being the lack of agreement on sanctioning Belarusian fertilizers. These fertilizers are considered crucial for food security in regions like Africa. By addressing this issue and aligning sanctions with those against Russia, the EU aims to send a clear message and close off avenues for circumventing restrictions.