EU Council expands sanctions against Belarus

On June 29, the Council of the European Union adopted sanctions against Belarus. They mirror some of the restrictive measures against Russia, thus solving the problem of circumventing sanctions.

This is stated in a message on the website of the Council of the EU, Rubryka writes.

The restrictions apply to exports of dual-use goods and technologies and advanced technologies. The EU is also introducing additional sanctions on exporting goods that can help strengthen Belarus' industrial potential.

Further restrictions are also imposed on the export to Belarus of maritime goods, technology, and luxury goods.

In terms of imports, direct or indirect imports of gold and diamonds from Belarus, as well as helium, coal, and mineral products, including crude oil, will be prohibited. A new ban on the export of goods and technology suitable for use in oil refining and natural gas liquefaction will supplement the oil restriction.

The Council of the EU also prohibits the provision of certain services to Belarus, its government, public authorities, corporations or agencies, and any natural or legal person acting on their behalf or at their direction. These include, in particular, accounting, architectural, and engineering services, advertising and marketing research services, and others.

In addition, the ban on transporting goods by road transport within the EU on trailers and semi-trailers registered in Belarus, including trucks registered outside Belarus, is being extended.

To minimize the risk of sanctions evasion, the EU prohibits transit through the territory of Belarus:

• dual-purpose goods and technologies,
• goods and technologies that can contribute to the military and technical strengthening of Belarus or the development of its defense and security sector,
• goods that can contribute to the strengthening of Belarusian industrial capacities.

In addition, to counter the re-export of military goods found in Ukraine or critical to the development of Russian military systems, EU operators selling such goods to third countries will have to implement due diligence mechanisms.

In addition, EU parent companies will have to make every effort to ensure that their subsidiaries in third countries do not engage in any activity that could lead to the results the sanctions seek to prevent.

It will be recalled that on June 24 the Council of the European Union approved the 14th package of sanctions against Russia in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. It concerns, in particular, the spheres of energy, finance, and trade. These restrictions should make it difficult to circumvent the previously introduced EU sanctions.

In addition, 116 individuals and legal entities responsible for actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence were added to the sanctions list.