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The European Union (EU) adopted new sanctions on Belarus starting on August 2, 2024, in response to this country's participation in Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and continuous violations of human rights. These sanctions include various measures to put pressure on the Belarusian political leadership and prevent further violence and repression.

The new sanctions include:

Export Bans: The export of goods and technology suitable for use in the aerospace industry, including aircraft engines and drones, is prohibited.

Bans on the export of industrial and luxury goods: This includes the export of certain industrial and luxury goods to Belarus.

Import bans: New import bans on gold, diamonds, helium, coal and crude oil.

In addition, the EU expanded the sanctions list to include 38 more individuals and 3 entities responsible for human rights violations and repression against civil society and democratic forces. These sanctions also apply to state-owned enterprises that have taken measures against or fired workers for participating in peaceful protests and strikes.

The aim of the EU is to support the aspiration of the people of Belarus to create a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus, as well as to ensure the release of all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons3. Sanctions are one of the means by which the EU seeks to put pressure on the Belarusian regime and promote a peaceful transition to democracy.

The new rules provide that EU companies, in which at least 25% of shares are owned by a Belarusian natural or legal person.

The exception applies to companies owned by persons with dual citizenship or a permanent or temporary residence permit in the EU.

Entrepreneurs carrying out transport activities should expect to be required to provide documents confirming the ownership structure, both when transporting goods and during control at border checkpoints.

Similar rules already apply to owners of Russian transport companies.

Other countries also impose sanctions on Belarus. For example, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada recently announced additional sanctions against individuals and entities in Belarus for human rights abuses and support for Russia. The US Treasury Department has tightened sanctions on Belarus' military support for Russia and the Lukashenko regime.