The European Union Will Impose Sanctions on 86 Belarusian Officials And Companies

The European Union will impose sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on 86 Belarusian officials and companies on Monday, but will leave it to leaders to decide when to impose economic sanctions, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Diplomats said that the sanctions include 76 individuals, including the ministers of transport and defense, as well as eight state companies, in an attempt to increase pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko for forcing a Ryanair airliner to land in Minsk on May 23.

“Today we will approve a new, broader package of sanctions, comprising about 86 individuals and entities,” Borrell told reporters upon arrival at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Diplomats said the measures may be coordinated with similar sanctions imposed by other Western countries, including Britain and the United States. But they did not give details.