EU expands sanctions regime against Belarus, including its hybrid unfriendly actions against European neighbours

The European Union has expanded the scope of its sanctions regime against Belarus to cover hybrid unfriendly actions by Belarus against its European neighbours.

On 15 December, the Council introduced a new criterion for imposing sanctions on companies and individuals who "benefit from, are involved in or facilitated actions or policies attributable to the Republic of Belarus, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the EU and its member states".

It is noted that the decision is primarily linked to systematic incursions of weather balloons carrying contraband from Belarus into Lithuania.

The new criterion allows the EU to apply sanctions to those involved also in information manipulation and interference.

Those linked to "actions targeted at the functioning of democratic institutions, economic activities or services of public interest of the EU and its member states" may fall under the sanctions regime.

The new criterion also covers interference with, damage to or destruction of critical infrastructure, or systemic actions leading to disruptions in the operation of such infrastructure – this wording includes, in particular, the situation faced by Vilnius airport because of weather balloons from Belarus.

In describing the problem Lithuania has faced, it is emphasised that weather balloons from Belarus have already affected hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers and caused major losses for airlines.

"They aim to destabilise an EU member state and to intimidate European citizens through direct threats posed to civilian aviation. The use of these balloons occurs in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, along with other actions that also include state-sponsored migrant smuggling," the communiqué notes.

EU ambassadors agreed on 10 December to expand sanctions against Belarus in connection with the incursions of balloons into Lithuanian airspace.

Vilnius has said that Alexander Lukashenko should not expect any easing of EU sanctions, following the example of the US, which did so in exchange for the release of more than 120 political prisoners.