Diplomats: EU to impose sanctions on Belarus’ aviation sector

The European Union (EU) is preparing sanctions against the Belarusian national airline and leading aviation officials, three diplomats told Reuters on Tuesday, June 1.

The proposed freezing of funds and the ban on entering the EU are part of the new sanctions imposed by EU countries on Belarus following the Ryanair incident.

On May 23, Belarusian authorities forced a Ryanair plane on its way from Athens to Vilnius to change course and land in Minsk to detain Belarusian opposition and journalist Roman Protasevich. Protasevich’s friend Sofia Sapega, who was traveling with him, was also detained.

The governments of the EU member states have called what has happened “state piracy” and have indicated that they want to impose sanctions on sectors that play a central role in the Belarusian economy. These could be bond trading, the oil sector and potash exports.

Prior to the introduction of such economic sanctions, the EU is expected to agree on a smaller “blacklist” of several individuals and two legal entities before the foreign ministers’ meeting on 21 June, diplomats said, saying it would be a quick interim solution.

“All EU countries agree with this approach,” said one diplomat. The second diplomat stated that this will be a clear signal to Lukashenko that his actions are dangerous and unacceptable.

While sanctions are still under discussion, EU ambassadors could begin drafting bans on Belarusian airlines overflighting and landing on EU territory as early as Friday, allowing EU ministers to formally sign the bans later.

The United Kingdom, which is no longer an EU member state, has suspended the operating license of the Belarusian national carrier Belavia. The EU is expected to make a similar decision, diplomats said.