Brussels has introduced a new package of economic sanctions against Belarus, which extends the restrictions previously imposed against Russia, follows from the statement of the Council of the European Union.
“The Council today adopted restrictive measures directed against the Belarusian economy. <…> These comprehensive measures are aimed at extending a number of restrictive measures already in force against Russia,” the statement said.
The new restrictions are aimed at imports of Belarusian gold, diamonds, helium, coal and mineral products, crude oil to the EU. In addition, the transit of dual-use goods and technologies will be stopped through Belarus.
The EU has restricted the transport of goods by road, including trailers and semi-trailers registered in Belarus. Brussels obliged European companies to ensure that the exported to third countries “sensitive” products, firearms and ammunition, were not then diverted to the post-Soviet republic.
A ban on the export of “goods and technologies of maritime shipping” and luxury goods to Belarus is also imposed. Goods and technologies, suitable for use in oil refining and liquefaction of natural gas, have also fallen under the sanctions.
In addition, the EU sanctions package includes measures that allow operators of European countries to seek compensation for losses incurred in Belarus as a result of retaliatory measures there.
Earlier, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said that Russia was going through a difficult period in the Russian history. He emphasised that in the emerging conditions of the new world reality, “someone is seeking” to preserve its fading hegemony through Russia.
