Von der Leyen: The EU will increase its sanctions against Belarus

The European Union (EU) will extend sanctions against Belarus next week, European Commission President Ursula von de Layen said today after a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington on, among other things, Covid- 19, the climate crisis and other international issues.

“Very soon, early next week, there will be an extension of sanctions against Belarus,” the commissioner told reporters after the meeting, noting that sanctions would be imposed on individuals as well as entities.

The decision is expected to be taken on Monday at a meeting of foreign ministers of the 27 EU member states.

European diplomats have said the European Union plans to target about 30 people and entities, including Belarus Foreign Minister Belavia and Belavia Airlines.

EU sanctions are currently being imposed on 116 Belarusian officials, including President Lukashenko and two of his sons. They provide for the “freezing” of their assets and the ban on entry into the EU.

“It is important for Lukashenko to understand that their behavior has a price,” said Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU and NATO have accused Alexander Lukashenko of using migrants as a weapon to put pressure on the West, sending people fleeing the Middle East to Minsk and then to Poland and the Baltic states.

The Belarusian president and his ally, Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, are blaming the EU.

Von der Leyen said she understood that the United States had prepared sanctions against Belarus, which would take effect in early December. “We will consider imposing sanctions on these airlines that facilitate the smuggling of people to Minsk and the EU-Belarus border.”

Source: AMPE