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.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Poland Sun.

More Information

23 ℃

Fair in Warsaw

Europe

Section

Croatian bus carrying Polish tourists crashes, 12 dead, 32 injured

ZAGREB, Croatia: Authorities have said that a weekend bus crash near Varazdin in Croatia killed 12 passengers and injured 32.The ...

East Europe tourism takes dramatic downturn due to Ukraine war

WARSAW, Poland: Julie, who preferred not to give her full name, booked a group of trips to Warsaw last year, ...

Canada sends 225 soldiers to help train Ukrainian forces

OTTAWA, Ontario: Military trainers from Canada will head to the United Kingdom to teach Ukrainians new techniques for fighting the ...

As Heathrow reduces passengers, British Airways stops selling tickets

LONDON, England: British Airways has halted ticket sales for short-haul flights that depart before the middle of August from London's ...

Ministers favor 4 am closing for Ireland's pubs, nightclubs

DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's bars and nightclubs will be allowed to operate into the early morning under new regulations being proposed ...

Germany says Covid measures to return at hospitals, nursing homes

BERLIN, Germany: The German government's basic COVID-19 restrictions would return this fall and winter, when experts expect cases to rise ...

International

Section