Belarus lifts ban on certain imports from unfriendly countries

MINSK. May 27 (Interfax) - Belarus has lifted its ban on a number of food imports from unfriendly countries, the Belarusian government's press service said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Belarus responded to the latest EU [European Union] sanctions. On May 22, 2025 the European Parliament approved a draft decision to impose higher customs duties on agricultural imports from our country. In response the government lifted the ban on the import and distribution in Belarus of potatoes, onions, fresh cabbage, applies originating from unfriendly countries, including all EU member states," the statement said.

Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin signed the relevant resolution on Tuesday, it said.

"Once again Belarus is demonstrating its openness, peace-loving nature, the principle of good neighborliness and, similarly to the decision about visa-free entry to our country by citizens of a number of states, including EU countries, is easing the restrictions imposed on agricultural products from unfriendly countries," the statement said.

On January 1, 2022 Belarus imposed a six-month food embargo on a wide list of Western goods, which has since been extended several times.

Aside from the goods that are no longer embargoed from Tuesday, the Belarusian list of banned imports from unfriendly countries includes beef, pork, milk and dairy products (except those specialized made from lactose-free milk), nuts, sausages, confectionary, and so on. These goods remain barred from Belarus.

The list of countries that pursue unfriendly policies on Belarus includes EU members, United States, Canada, Albania, United Kingdom, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Switzerland.