Sanctions against Belarus: Ukraine has begun to isolate Lukashenko
30 April 05:30
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council imposing new sanctions against Belarus. The restrictions target 16 Belarusian citizens and 11 legal entities, including companies working for the Russian military-industrial complex. The relevant decree has been published on the president’s website, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Viktor and Dmitry Lukashenko—the sons of Belarus’s self-proclaimed president, Alexander Lukashenko—have also been added to the sanctions list.
The Office of the President stated that the new package of sanctions is directed against Belarusian companies that supply the Russian military, as well as against individuals in Lukashenko’s inner circle.
Why Ukraine imposed new sanctions against Belarus
The new restrictions were adopted due to Belarus’s support for Russia in the war against Ukraine and its assistance to the Russian defense-industrial complex. According to the Office of the President, the sanctions target companies that manufacture ammunition, components for shells, equipment for repairing military hardware, and other goods that could be used by the Russian army.
In an evening address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the new sanctions package should serve as a signal to international partners regarding the specific areas where pressure needs to be increased to reduce the intensity of the war.
“This is a signal to many of our partners about where to apply pressure in order to ultimately reduce the scale of this war and its intensity,” the president said.
Who is subject to sanctions
Sanctions have been imposed against 16 Belarusian citizens and 11 legal entities. Among the individuals are members of Alexander Lukashenko’s inner circle, as well as people whom Ukraine associates with circumventing international sanctions and supporting Russian aggression.
The list includes, in particular, Viktor Lukashenko and Dmitry Lukashenko—the sons of Alexander Lukashenko. According to the Office of the President, they are involved in export operations aimed at circumventing international sanctions, supplying dual-use goods, and re-exporting products through Belarusian territory.
Sanctions have also been imposed on Viktor Sheiman—one of Lukashenko’s closest associates, who has held high-ranking positions in the Belarusian government over the years.
Which companies made the sanctions list
Belarusian companies that, according to the Ukrainian side, supply the Russian defense industry have been subject to restrictions.
Specifically, this includes companies that manufacture or service products for military purposes:
- “Olsa”;
- Minsk “Thermoplast” Plant;
- Kovalsky Heavy Stamping Plant;
- Republican Unitary Production Enterprise “IK 9”;
- “NefteKhimDiagnostika”;
- Vitebsk Electrical Measuring Instruments Plant;
- “Radiotechnika”;
- enterprises involved in the repair of Russian Tu, Yak, and Il aircraft families.
According to the Office of the President, some of these enterprises produce 122 mm and 152 mm artillery shells or components for them for Russian occupation forces. Other companies are involved in packaging and testing ammunition, supplying equipment for the repair of armored vehicles, and manufacturing components for Russian military equipment.
What the sanctions entail
Sanctions typically involve asset freezes, restrictions on trade operations, prohibitions on capital outflows, restrictions on participation in the privatization or leasing of state property, prohibitions on technology transfers, and other economic and legal restrictions.
For legal entities, this means complications or an effective block on doing business with the Ukrainian market. For individuals, it means restrictions on assets, financial transactions, and economic activities related to Ukraine.
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Why are Belarusian defense enterprises on the list?
Ukraine considers Belarus an accomplice to Russian aggression, as its territory has been used by Russia for military operations against Ukraine, and Belarusian industry can supply the Russian army with products, components, and repair capabilities.
The new sanctions package is intended to increase pressure not only on Lukashenko’s political inner circle but also on the supply chains that help Russia continue the war.
Zelenskyy: Belarus must not be allowed to become more deeply involved in the war
In his address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia is not demonstrating a willingness to take genuine steps toward peace, so it must be compelled to reduce its aggression.
Separately, he stressed the need to prevent Belarus from becoming more deeply involved in the war and from engaging in potential operations against other European countries.
According to the president, sanctions should serve as a tool to pressure those who help Russia sustain its military machine.
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