European Union Countries Agree Sanctions Against Belarus

JAKARTA - European Union countries have approved sanctions packages against Belarus, EU and Belgian diplomats say.

This week, the EU adopted its 14th sanctions package to punish Russia for its massive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which includes a clause that increases responsibility for EU companies exporting through non-EU countries.

"This package will strengthen our steps in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including fighting sanctions evasion," Belgium, who served as president of the European Union until the end of June, told X.

"With this package, we have just closed the biggest gap in our sanctions regime," the EU presidency said in a separate statement.

Attempts to close the gap have increased since last year and diplomats say Belarus is one of the largest countries.

The EU has been working since January last year to align sanctions imposed on Belarus prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in response to the war, but the large potassium exports in the country are one of the obstacles.

A diplomat said this action aligns measures against dual-usable items such as chips found in basic equipment as well as advanced technology and military goods.

The package cancels the provisions requested by several countries that allow Belarusian potassium and other agricultural goods to be exported through Europe in the event of a price spike.