EU broadens sanctions against Belarus

BRUSSELS. Aug 3 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union approved a ban on exports of certain technologies, military goods, firearms and ammunition to Belarus on Thursday, the European Commission said.

"The measures expand the ban on exports to Belarus to a number of highly sensitive goods and technologies which contribute to Belarus's military and technological enhancement. The Council also imposes an additional export ban on firearms and ammunition," the European Commission said in a press release.

It explained the measures in terms of Russian actions in Ukraine and "Belarus' involvement."

The new ban will apply to exports of aerospace industry technologies to Belarus.

According to the press release, the EU authorities are harmonizing sanctions against Belarus with the restrictions imposed on Russia.

The list of sanctions will be published by the Official Journal of the European Union later.

As reported earlier, the European Union has drafted a package of sanctions against Belarus, including sectoral restrictions on military and dual-use products, firearms, ammunition, aviation products, and technology. It was noted that the new restrictions were similar to those imposed on Russia, and were supposed to block the delivery of goods that could be used for military purposes to Russia via Belarus.

The European Union has approved six packages of anti-Belarusian sanctions to date.