Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The European Commission welcomes the EU Council’s new sanctions against Belarus for its role in Russia’s war on Ukraine. These sanctions aim to close loopholes, targeting trade, services, and sensitive goods to prevent circumvention and ensure proportionality.
The European Commission welcomes the EU Council’s enactment of a new set of sanctions against Belarus, given its involvement in Russia’s unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine.
Commission states that the compact integration of the Russian and Belarusian economies has substantially lessened the circumvention of current sanctions against Russia. This new collection of sanctions against Belarus mirrors several of the steps already imposed on Russia, driving EU sanctions against Russia more effective.
How Will Sanctions Influence Belarus-Russia Economic Integration?
According to the EU Commission, the new dimensions are tailored because of the specific characteristics of EU-Belarus trade and impact different sectors of the Belarusian economy, including trade, services and transport. This permits an effective strategy in fighting circumvention while assuring that the measures are proportional to the level of Belarus’ involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
As per the Commission, it will continue to observe the possible circumvention of sanctions on Russia via Belarus and stands prepared to support additional alignment between the two sanctions regimes.
What New Export Limits Has the EU Imposed on Belarus?
Export limitations on dual-use and advanced technology goods have been expanded and new restrictions have been raised on goods which could contribute to the development of Belarusian industrial capacities, as well as maritime navigation tools, oil refining technology and certain luxury goods. Imports of goods authorising Belarus to diversify its origins of revenue as well as gold and diamonds have been banned.
Anti-circumvention
How Will EU Sanctions on Belarus Prevent Circumvention?
EU operators must now launch their best efforts to prevent their foreign associates from engaging in activities that sabotage sanctions. To reduce the threat of circumvention about sensitive goods, the transit of specific goods (e.g. dual use, advanced technology, firearms, aviation-related materials) via Belarus is now restricted. Moreover, EU exporters must contain a “no-Belarus clause” in new arrangements and EU operators trading in battleground goods must implement due diligence means. The package also presents the possibility for the EU Council to inflict targeted measures against individuals or commodities that circumvent the sanctions or that seriously undermine their purpose or effectiveness.
The condition of services to Belarus, its government and affiliated entities is now restricted, including calculation, auditing, engineering and advertising services. Restrictions have been expanded to include the use of trailers or semi-trailers written in Belarus. In addition, the existing proscription to transport goods by road in the EU, including transit, now also involves EU companies possessed 25% or more by Belarusian persons.
The new measures allow EU operators to claim compensation for damages generated by Belarusian entities connected to sanctions implementation and appropriation. The sectoral actions against Belarus were last modified in August 2023 to align them additionally with the sanctions against Russia.
