26/06/24 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 26 June, the ambassadors of the Member States to the EU agreed in principle on a new package of sanctions targeting Belarus. “This package will strengthen our measures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including combating circumvention of sanctions”, explained the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council on X. In their opinion, this package closes “the biggest loophole” in the sanctions regime, as Russia and Belarus share a customs union. “Belarus must no longer serve as a route to circumvent our sanctions against Russia. With this package we increase the pressure on both countries and make our sanctions against Russia even more effective”, added Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. This sanctions package had been blocked since January 2023 (see EUROPE 13109/5). (CG)