The EU adopted a new sanctions package against Belarus on Saturday. This is a response, among other things, to the country's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine.
"The package means that the sanctions against Belarus are brought closer to the sanctions against Russia in several areas, making it more difficult to use Belarus to circumvent the sanctions against Russia," writes Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) in a statement to TT.
The sanctions entail extensive tightening of export bans for products that can contribute to Belarus' military or industrial capacity.
The new package is necessary for several reasons, according to Billström. It complicates, delays, and makes more expensive the procurement of war materials and critical components for the defense industry.
But the EU also needs to move forward with new measures.
"In addition to introducing further sanctions, it is important to plug the loopholes," writes Billström.
