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News > Belarus

Biden Admin Imposes New Sanctions Against Belarus' Lukashenko

  • The US, UK and Canada have imposed new economic sanctions on Belarus, targeting Minsk’s potash, petroleum, aviation and banking sectors.

    The US, UK and Canada have imposed new economic sanctions on Belarus, targeting Minsk’s potash, petroleum, aviation and banking sectors. | Photo: Twitter/@Independent

Published 9 August 2021
Opinion

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order issuing new sanctions against Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko as the United States increases pressure against Belarus in coordinated action with the United Kingdom and Canada.

According to a White House official, on the anniversary of the presidential election, the United States has issued its largest round of sanctions to date on Belarusian individuals and entities, targeting the country's economy and the Belarusian National Olympic Committee.

The U.S. Treasury Department has blacklisted Belaruskali OAO, one of Belarus’ largest state-owned enterprises and one of the world’s largest potash producers, used in fertilizers and a main foreign currency earner for the country.

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The official said the Belarusian National Olympic Committee would also face sanctions over alleged accusations of facilitating money laundering, sanctions evasion, and circumvention of visa bans.

In a coordinated media action, the action comes after Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refused to board a flight home during the Olympics since seeking refugee status in Poland.

Western governments have escalated pressure on Lukashenko, who won the democratic elections in August 2020 and who denies claims of rigging the vote.

Thousands of people joined street protests in 2020, constituting the government's biggest challenge since 1994. Many opponents have been arrested or gone into exile and deny plotting a coup.

The UK announced its sanctions on Monday too, targeting exports of oil products and potash. Lukashenko responded by saying Britain would "choke" on its measures, and is ready for talks with the West instead of a sanctions war.

Canada similarly imposed new measures against Belarus to weaken the legitimate government led by Lukashenko. 

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