EU could sanction Belarus potash, oil, finance, ministers say

Robert Besser
29 May 2021, 19:54 GMT+10

Following Belarus' forcing down a Ryanair jetliner and arresting a journalist who was on board, the European Union is expected to impose sanctions
According to the foreign ministers of Germany, Luxembourg and Lithuania, sanctions on Belarus might well target the country's potash and oil industries, as well as financial transactions
Sanctions on Belarus are not expected to be approved until a June 21 EU meeting

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Following Belarus' forcing down a Ryanair jetliner and arresting a journalist who was on board, the European Union is expected to impose sanctions.

According to the foreign ministers of Germany, Luxembourg and Lithuania, speaking on Thursday, sanctions on Belarus might well target the country's potash and oil industries, as well as financial transactions.

EU leaders asked the foreign ministers to meet so they could develop sanctions on Belarus.

"The hijacking of the plane and the detention of the two passengers is completely unacceptable, and we will start discussing the implementation of the sectorial and economic sanctions," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Lisbon.

"The keyword, I think, is potash. We know that Belarus produces very much potash, it is one of the biggest suppliers globally, and I think it would hurt Lukashenko very much if we managed something in this area," said Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister.

Additionally, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, "We aim to target the economic structure and financial transactions in Belarus significantly."

Also, the EU might consider imposing sanctions on the Belarus oil industry, said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Sanctions on Belarus are not expected to be approved until a June 21 EU meeting.

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