April 23, Pozirk. The Council of the European Union has adopted the 20th package of sanctions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, with new restrictions applying to three entities related to the Belarusian defense sector, which supplied weapons to Moscow.
The new restrictions include Belarusian Vołat-Sanjiang and its Chinese co-founder, China Space Sanjiang Group, as well as the Belarusian Oil Company. The Council extended the Belarus sanctions regime until February 28, 2027.
Vołat-Sanjiang was described as a Belarusian joint venture with the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant as a co-founder. It produces wheeled chassis for military equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. Another co-founder, China Space Sanjiang Group, reportedly supports Belarus’ defense industry by being involved in the development and production of military technology and equipment.
The state-controlled Belarusian Oil Company is the leading exporter of petroleum associated with companies supporting the Alaksandar Łukašenka regime and linked to entities responsible for the politically-motivated reprisals against the Belarusian civil society, the Council said.
The new restrictions are also intended to mirror those imposed on Russia, including trade measures, legal protection, measures on crypto and restrictions on the provision of cyber security services and tourism services.
The EU started introducing sanctions against Belarus in 2020, two years before Russia’s war on Ukraine, accusing its government of vote rigging and human rights abuses.
