U.S. implements sanctions against Belarus
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The United States of America imposed sanctions against Belarus today, December 5. The reason for this is its assistance to Russia in the war and involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Today, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is adding 11 legal entities and eight individuals to the list of sanctions.
This intensifies pressure on the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko for the harsh suppression of Belarus's democratic civil society, the corrupt financial enrichment of the Lukashenko family, and complicity in Russia's unjust war against Ukraine.
Brian Nelson, the Deputy Minister of Finance for Counterterrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that today's actions confirm the U.S.'s efforts to hold Lukashenko, his family, and his regime accountable for their anti-democratic actions and human rights violations both in Belarus and worldwide.
Deportation of Ukrainian children
The U.S. has imposed sanctions against Dmitry Shevtsov, who is the Secretary-General of the Belarusian Red Cross.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia has transported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. Belarus has been an accomplice and supported Russia's efforts in collecting and transporting Ukrainian children to Belarus. In June 2023, the Belarusian Red Cross reported that over 700 Ukrainian children are currently in the country.
Support for the war against Ukraine
Several enterprises assisting Russia's military efforts have also fallen under restrictions. These include JSC Alevkurp, the scientific and production holding of precision engineering Planar, and JSC Managing Company of the Horizon Holding.
The U.S. has also imposed sanctions against Belarusian defense sector enterprises and individuals financing Lukashenko's regime.
Restrictions against Belarus
It was recently reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced a bill to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) on sectoral sanctions against the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the defense-industrial sector. These restrictions will be in effect for 50 years.
Lithuania is also considering unifying sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Earlier, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, called on Lukashenko's regime to release all political prisoners in Belarus
