POLÍTICA
Crescendo de sanções contra a Bielorrússia
May 26, 2021 - Líderes da UE concordaram preparar novas sanções “económicas dirigidas” contra a Bielorrússia após o desvio de um avião de passageiros da Ryanair que voava da Grécia para a Lituânia.
The EU has called for a ban on Belarusian airlines flying over EU territory and are urging EU-based airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace.
Each week 3,300 flights fly over Belarus, according to the aircraft tracking website Flightradar24. Belarus receives income from airlines that enter its airspace of €70,000 ($86,000) each day.
The EU imposed sanctions against Belarus in October 2020, following the disputed presidential election. Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory.
A travel ban and asset freeze against individuals associated with Lukashenko includes 88 individuals and seven organisations.
EU trade with Belarus state-owned firms -- a significant revenue source for Lukashenka -- may be subject to sanctions. According to Dun & Bradstreet, the state-owned Naftan oil refinery has annual sales of $3.77 billion. The Hrodna Azot chemical company generates $800 million a year.
Belaruskali, a potash fertiliser producer, could also find its $350 million revenue hit. Tougher sanctions require unanimity among the EU’s 27 member states.