On June 24, 2021, the EU Council imposed new targeted economic sanctions on Belarus, adopting Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1030 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1031 in response to the unlawful forced landing of Ryanair flight in Belarus on May 23, 2021, for the purpose of detaining journalist Raman Pratasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega.
The new restrictive measures include further restrictions related to the trade of arms and prohibits the sale or export of technology, equipment or software used primarily to monitor internet and telephone communications, and the sale of dual-use goods and technologies for military use to specified Belarusian persons and entities. There are new restrictions on trade in petroleum products, potassium chloride, and goods used to produce tobacco products, and restrictions on the access to EU capital markets by the Belarusian government and state-owned financial institutions and entities. The provision of insurance and reinsurance to Belarusian government officials and agencies is also prohibited. Finally, the European Investment Bank is prohibited from making any disbursements or payments related to existing public sector projects and Technical Assistance Service Contracts, and Member States are required to limit their involvement in Belarus with multilateral development banks in which they are members.
EU Council Press Release | Official Journal of the EU – Regulation (EU) 2021/1030