The EU has expanded sanctions against Belarus

According to European Pravda, this was reported by the press service of the Council of the EU.

On 15 December, the Council introduced a new criterion for imposing sanctions on companies and individuals who ‘benefit from, are involved in or contribute to actions or policies associated with the Republic of Belarus that are directed against democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the EU and its member states.’

It is noted that the decision is primarily related to systematic raids of weather balloons smuggling goods from Belarus to Lithuania.

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

Those involved in ‘actions directed against the functioning of democratic institutions, economic activity or services of public interest in the EU and its member states’ may be subject to sanctions.

The new criterion also covers interference, damage or destruction of critical infrastructure, or systematic actions that lead to disruptions in the functioning of such infrastructure – this wording applies, in particular, to the situation that has arisen for Vilnius Airport due to weather balloons from Belarus.

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

"Their goal is to destabilise an EU member state and intimidate European citizens by creating a direct threat to civil aviation. The use of these balloons is part of a broader hybrid campaign, alongside other actions, including state-sponsored smuggling of migrants," the communiqué notes.

EU ambassadors agreed on Wednesday to extend sanctions against Belarus in connection with the intrusion of balloons into Lithuania.

Source: European Pravda