Germany, France block new sanctions against Belarus – Politico

June 7, Pozirk. Germany and France oppose the European Union’s efforts to close loopholes that allow luxury goods to reach Russia via Belarus, Politico reported, citing its sources in the diplomatic circles.

Berlin and Paris may have caused doubts within the EU, which may consider separating the 14th package of sanctions against Russia from restrictions against Belarus, the report said.

A decision may be made ahead of the annual G7 summit, scheduled for June 13-15 in Italy, to allow the EU to proceed with major gas sanctions while delaying discussion of measures against Minsk, it noted.

The EU started introducing sanctions against Belarus in 2020, two years before Russia’s war on Ukraine, punishing the rigged presidential election and human rights abuse in the country.

However, sanctions against Minsk have been weaker than those against Moscow, allowing Belarus to become “a way station for sanctioned goods to reach Russia,” the report stressed.

“If we take weak measures on Belarus while we know that goods arrive in Moscow via Minsk, it’s a bit ridiculous,” Politico cited an EU diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Two weeks ago, the Financial Times reported that the EU was planning to close the loopholes.

New sanctions were expected to ban EU companies from selling luxury goods, maritime navigation equipment, and goods and technology that can have military use, prohibiting Belarusian exports of diamonds to mirror similar restrictions against Russia.

Also read: EU plans to ban exports of luxury cars, dual-use goods to Belarus