The European Union extended sanctions against the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and his entourage. The restrictions will remain in place until at least the end of February 2024.
This is reported by the official journal of the EU.
"Given the severity of the situation in Belarus, which persists, and the involvement of Belarus in the illegal aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, it is advisable to keep in force all the measures taken by the union. The decision should be extended until February 28, 2024," the message says.
The sanctions list includes 243 individuals, including self-proclaimed president Oleksandr Lukashenka, and 32 legal entities. EU sanctions include visa restrictions and asset freezes.
Sanctions were first introduced in 2012 due to repression and rights violations in Belarus. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, restrictions were extended due to complicity in armed aggression.