The European Union has proposed a new round of sweeping sanctions against Belarus for its role in supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to documents seen by Bloomberg. The proposed measures would subject Minsk to many of the sanctions packages previously imposed by the EU on Russia, including restrictions on key technologies and the country's energy sector.
Suggested activities include:
Prohibition on the export of dual-use goods and technologies that are used for military purposes and can increase the country's industrial potential;
Sanctions on oil, coal, metal products and gold;
Trade restrictions on luxury goods, investments and provision of certain services;
Measures that will hit the country's aviation and energy sectors and key sources of income.
Similar to the sanctions already imposed against Russia, exceptions are provided for medicines, agricultural and food products, as well as benefits for relevant financial transactions involving sanctioned persons. The legislation would also allow the EU to prosecute anyone who helps circumvent sanctions imposed on Belarusian individuals and entities.
The approval of the proposed measures requires the support of all member states.
The EU is also working on a 10th package of sanctions targeting Russia, as well as a cap on Russian oil prices, and aims to pass both before the embargo takes effect next week.
