UK sanctions

The UK sanctions against Belarus: what to know in 2025

After Brexit, the UK has developed its own autonomous regime of sanctions against Belarus, in response to the internal repression by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko and, above all, to the support provided to Moscow during the invasion of Ukraine.

The British measures are regulated by the framework known as Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) Regulations 2019, repeatedly modified and strengthened up to 2025.

Essential chronology

• 2019 – London introduces an initial package of restrictions for human rights violations.

• 2020 – following the disputed elections in Belarus, lists of sanctioned individuals are extended.

• 2021 – after the hijacking of the Ryanair flight to Minsk, new sanctions target aviation, potassium, and petroleum products.

• 2022 – with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarus enters the "Russia-related" package of measures, imposing restrictions on technology, dual-use goods, and finance.

• 2023–2024 – further expansions: steel, timber, gold, luxury goods, consulting services, and cloud services.

• 2025 – the sanctions remain in force and are periodically updated by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

🔎 Content of British sanctions

1. Freezing of assets and travel bans

   • Government officials, judges, entrepreneurs, and military personnel linked to the regime cannot enter the UK nor access assets or accounts in the country.

2. Commercial restrictions

   • Prohibition on importing products such as timber, steel, cement, gold, potassium, and petroleum derivatives.

   • Export block to Belarus of dual-use goods, advanced technologies, telecommunications and surveillance equipment.

   • Prohibition on providing financial and professional services to sanctioned entities.

3. Transport and aviation

   • Use of UK airspace and airports is forbidden for Belarusian airlines.

   • Direct passenger and cargo connections are suspended.

4. Financial sector

   • Restrictions on loans and investments in Belarusian sovereign debt.

   • Prohibition on doing business with banks and financial institutions controlled by Minsk.

Conclusion

The UK has chosen a very tough stance towards Belarus on the political, economic, and financial fronts, largely aligning with the measures against Russia.
The sanctions directly impact key sectors of Minsk's economy and the elite close to Lukashenko, strengthening the country's international isolation.