Representatives of EU member states in the Council of the European Union have agreed to expand sanctions against Belarus in response to the contraband balloons flying into Lithuania, RFE/RL journalist Rikard Jozwiak said on X, APA reports.
He also noted that the measures are expected to be formally approved next week.
It remains unclear what exactly will be included in the new sanctions package.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which reviewed a draft of the document, the EU proposed imposing sanctions on individuals and entities that “threaten the sovereignty or independence” of one or more EU member states.
This includes anyone involved in “planning, directing, directly or indirectly supporting or otherwise assisting any actions aimed at the functioning of democratic institutions, economic activity, or services of public interest.” It also includes “unauthorized entry into the territory of a member state, including its airspace,” as well as “disrupting the functioning of critical infrastructure.”
Lithuania has proposed additional measures to the EU, including a ban on operations involving ten Belarusian banks (in addition to current restrictions), new limits on nitrogen fertilizers, and bans on importing Belarusian rapeseed oil and salt.
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