UK Imposes Economic Sanctions On Belarus

James Landale at the BBC tweets: "Breaking: UK imposes economic sanctions on Belarus for the first time. UK firms banned from selling financial services; import ban on potash & petroleum products; export ban on cigarette manufacturing goods + products that can be used for internal repression. UK sectoral sanctions mark a significant escalation of pressure on President Lukashenko 1 year after disputed elections. Until now, UK has largely imposed travel bans & asset freezes on individuals it blames for human rights abuses and repression of opposition supporters. These new measures are designed to hit state owned businesses, targeting Belarus elites which support and generate revenue for President Lukashenko and benefit financially from his administration. Similar measures are expected from other Western allies."