The European Union imposed a sweeping set of sanctions against Belarus, targeting key economic sectors in its strongest response yet to last month’s forced landing of a Ryanair flight and the arrest of a journalist in Minsk.
The EU sanctions will restrict the trade of petroleum goods, tobacco-related products and potash, according to a Thursday statement. Exports of the soil nutrient potash and petroleum products are some of the main sources of foreign currency revenue for Belarus.
The measures will also:
- Target equipment used for monitoring or intercepting communications
- Prohibit dual-use goods and technologies for military use
- Restrict access to EU capital markets
- Prohibit providing insurance and re-insurance to the Belarusian government and public institutions
- The European Investment Bank will cease disbursing payments related to public projects
The state-run Belaruskali controls about 20% of the global potash market and supplies about 25% of the EU’s demand. Last year, potash shipments netted Belarus $2.4 billion, according to the country’s national statistical committee.