European Union Sanctions

EU Sanctions against Belarus

The European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on Belarus following the fraudulent elections of 2020, the repression of civil society, human rights abuses, and the involvement of Belarus in Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.

The measures were introduced progressively, strengthened after 2020, and today extended until February 28, 2026.

Why sanctions?

• To pressure Belarusian authorities to stop violence and repression.

• To demand the release of political prisoners and other arbitrarily detained individuals.

• To promote authentic national dialogue and support a democratic transition.

• To respond to Belarus's role in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

What they include (summary)

• Travel bans: officials and entrepreneurs cannot enter the EU.

• Asset freezes: assets and bank accounts of sanctioned individuals and entities are blocked.

• Financial restrictions: prohibition on providing funds or resources to affected parties.

• Commercial bans: restrictions on dual-use goods, aviation, space, defense technology, luxury goods, and weapons.

• Import bans: gold, diamonds, helium, coal, oil, mineral products, fertilizers, and agricultural products.

• Transport bans: prohibition on Belarusian airlines and road transport operators.

• Banking restrictions: limits on relations with the central bank and Belarusian institutions; SWIFT ban for some banks.

• Sectoral sanctions: measures against the military-industrial complex, propaganda media, and companies linked to the regime.

• Weapons embargo: complete ban on the export of weapons and related services.

Detailed sectoral measures

• Weapons and security: complete ban on exporting weapons, dual-use goods, aviation, space, defense, and surveillance technologies.

• Banks and finance: freezing of central bank assets; restrictions on deposits over 100,000 EUR; prohibition on new loans and investments; blocking of Belarusian financial instruments; halt on EIB financing.

• Transport: total ban on Belarusian airlines in EU airspace; prohibition for road transport operators and trailers/semi-trailers registered in Belarus.

• Raw materials and trade: stop on imports of potash (KCl), wood, iron and steel, cement, rubber, coal, oil and derivatives, gold, diamonds, and mineral products.

• Industrial and luxury products: restrictions on machinery, electrical equipment, luxury goods, tobacco, and agricultural products.

• Services: prohibition on providing accounting, tax, legal, PR, IT, market research, management software, and industrial design services.

• Exceptions: humanitarian exemptions and specific cases (e.g., for target shooting sports with light weapons).

Timeline of major sanctions

2004–2015

• Initial measures against officials deemed involved in the disappearances of opponents (2004).

• New sanctions after the 2006 and 2010 elections, judged undemocratic.

• Restrictions also related to limitation of freedom of movement (citizens, activists, models and professionals for overseas travel).

• Pressure for the abolition of the death penalty.

2020

• August 19: The EU does not recognize the elections.

• October–December: First three rounds of sanctions, including Lukashenko and high-level officials.

2021

• May: Forced landing of Ryanair flight → ban on Belarusian airlines.

• June: Fourth package (78 individuals, 8 entities).

• December: Fifth package (17 individuals, 11 entities, including propaganda media).

2022

• February–March: Sanctions for involvement in the Russian invasion; SWIFT ban and banking restrictions.

• June: Additional listings for internal repression.

2023

• February: Extension until 2024.

• August: 38 additional individuals and 3 entities added; restrictions extended to aviation and space.

2024

• February: Extension until February 2025.

• June: New package with measures on trade, transport, and anti-evasion clauses.

• August and December: New lists of individuals, judges, and entrepreneurs.

2025

• February: 16th package → restrictions on crypto wallets, deposits, and services.

• March: 25 individuals and 7 entities sanctioned after the elections.

• June: Tariffs and bans on agricultural products and fertilizers.

• July: 18th package with arms embargo and new measures on the military-industrial sector.

2026

• Measures extended until February 28, 2026.

Current scope

• 310 individuals and 46 entities sanctioned.

• Targeted political leaders, judges, security officials, propagandists, prisons, electoral commissions, regime-linked companies, and military-industrial enterprises.

Historical and legal context

The first EU sanctions date back to September 24, 2004, targeting officials believed to be involved in the disappearances of political opponents. New restrictions followed the 2006 and 2011 elections, but were suspended in 2015 due to a temporary improvement in relations.

Starting in 2020, with elections deemed fraudulent and brutal repression, the measures became systematic. After the start of the war in Ukraine (February 2022), they were extended to key sectors of the economy and finance.

Summary sheet

• Program: BLR

• Legal basis: Decision 2012/642/CFSP, Regulation (EC) 765/2006 and subsequent amendments

• Last update: July 18, 2025

• Expiry date: February 28, 2026

• Targeted subjects: 310 individuals, 46 entities

• Areas affected: political, judicial, security, propaganda, military-industrial, businesses linked to the regime