EU prolongs sanctions on Belarusian authorities by 1 year

BRUSSELS. Feb 26 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union on Monday announced its extension by one year, until February 28, 2025, of the restrictive measures on Minsk, including over its support of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

"Since August 2020, the EU has imposed several successive rounds of individual and sectoral sanctions, against those responsible for internal repression and human rights abuses in Belarus [...]. The individual restrictive measures include an asset freeze and prohibition to make funds available. Natural persons are additionally subject to a ban on travel," the Council said in a communique released in Brussels.

There are currently 233 individuals, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and 37 legal entities on the sanctions list, the document said.

"Belarus also remains subject to targeted economic sanctions, including restrictions in the financial sector, trade, dual-use goods, technology and telecommunication, energy, transport and others," Brussels said.

According to the communique, the Council of the EU has confirmed its obligation to hold those guilty of human rights violations accountable, and, in accordance with the gradual approach, the EU is ready to adopt further targeted restrictions for as long as the Belarusian authorities continue such actions.