The European Union has approved a new package of sanctions against Belarus

The Council of the European Union approved this Saturday a new package of sanctions against Belarus, designed to prevent Russia from circumventing restrictive measures through Minsk.

Among the approved sanctions are a ban on the import of coal, crude oil and any minerals, gold, diamonds or helium from Belarus.

On the other hand, Brussels prohibited countries from exporting dual-use goods and technologies to Minsk, that is, those that may be suitable for the military and civilian spheres, as well as products for oil refining.

The EU has also stopped providing certain services to Belarus, from accounting to advertising, whether they are intended for the government, public bodies or any person or company acting at the direction of the country.

As specified in the statement, the veto power also applies to audit services, legal advice, financial, business and information technology advice, architecture, design, advertising and public relations, market analysis, product testing and technical control services.

In the field of transport, sanctions include a ban on the use of trailers and semi-trailers registered in Belarus for the transport of goods by road within the EU.

The new sanctions require EU companies exporting firearms, ammunition and sensitive technology outside the EU market to include a so-called “no Belarus” clause in their contracts.

This clause excludes the possibility of re-exporting this product to Belarus.

The European Union also canceled the transit of dual-use goods and technologies through the territory of Belarus.

The 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was approved on Monday.