EU extends Belarus sanctions for another year

MINSK. Feb 26 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union decided on Thursday to extend sanctions against Belarus for one year, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry press service said.

"The restrictive measures will remain in force to the same extent as until now, with no changes [...] This Council decision will remain in force until February 28, 2027, with the possibility of extension," it said.

The EU sanctions currently apply to 312 Belarusian individuals and 57 companies and organizations. Their assets in the EU are frozen, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from conducting financial transactions with them, and individuals included in the sanctions lists are banned from entering EU countries. Furthermore, economic sanctions are in place in the trade, finance, transport, energy, and other sectors to reduce Belarus's revenues and prevent the circumvention of sanctions.