The government of Ukraine, on July 7, greenlighted the introduction of individual sanctions against Belarus officials.
The Cabinet of Ministers is set to present the National Security and Defense Council the full list of Belarus citizens that are to be sanctioned by Ukraine within a month.
After being passed by the Council, the sanctions will last three years.
The sanctions will most likely hit officials linked to Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko, who has been holding the country in his grip for over 27 years.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and Belarus deteriorated in August after Lukashenko allegedly falsified presidential elections to remain in power. Lukashenko’s regime suppressed the protests that followed the fraudulent elections and imprisoned politicians and activists opposing the regime.
According to Belarus human rights group Vesna, as of June, the country has 476 political prisoners. Thousands have left the country.
On July 6, businessman Viktor Babariko, who attempted to challenge Lukashenko at the ballot was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
The recent escalation between the two neighboring countries comes as a result of Lukashenko’s decision to hijack a Ryanair plane to abduct opposition journalist Roman Protasevich who was onboard.
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Following the May 23 abduction, Ukraine closed its airspace for Belarus airlines and planes traveling to and from Belarus. Ukrainian airlines were banned from entering Belarus airspace.
Belarus retaliated by implementing restrictions on Ukrainian producers of agricultural machinery, foodstuffs, paper-based material, ceramics, bricks, furniture and packaging.
In June, Belarus began unofficially restricting exports of oil products produced by its Mozyr refinery. Belarusian authorities cite plant modernization as the primary reason for the decrease in exports to Ukraine, but most people believe it was a political decision.
