Putin promises to help Belarus resist Western sanctions

“We will continue to provide all possible assistance to the fraternal Belarusian people, even in the current, not at all mild, domestic political situation,” Putin said in a video conference at the regional forum, which was also attended by Belarusian authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Recent EU sanctions against the Lukashenko regime are undermining the Belarusian economy and harming the Belarusian people, the Kremlin host added.

The EU imposed economic sanctions on Belarus on Thursday in response to human rights abuses by the Lukashenko regime, violent repression against the opposition and the forced landing of a Ryanair plane.

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Among other things, the sale of Belarusian oil products and potassium salt, as well as the sale of tobacco production equipment to Belarus is restricted.

Minsk’s access to EU capital markets is also restricted, as is the provision of insurance services to the Belarussian government and public authorities.

The European Investment Bank has suspended all payments to Belarusian public sector projects under the current agreements.

In response to the sanctions, Belarus has announced that it is suspending its participation in the so-called EU Eastern Partnership initiative.