Ukraine has imposed a package of sanctions against the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, for facilitating the circumvention of international restrictions against Russia, actively justifying Russian aggression, and participating in the escalation of the war against Ukraine.
Source: OBOZREVATEL
This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who on February 18 signed a decree enacting the relevant decision of the National Security and Defense Council.
Among the grounds for the sanctions is the deployment in the second half of 2025 on the territory of Belarus of relay systems for controlling strike drones, which expanded the Russian army’s ability to carry out attacks on the northern regions of Ukraine. It is also noted that more than 3,000 Belarusian enterprises supply Russia with critically important machinery, equipment, and components, including for missile production.
A separate threat, according to Kyiv’s assessment, is the development in Belarus of infrastructure for the deployment of medium-range “Oreshnik” missiles. In 2025–2026, Belarusian enterprises, according to the NSDC, supplied Russia with key components and the mechanical base for this weapon.
The imposed restrictions provide for asset freezes, a complete cessation of trade operations, suspension of transit through the territory of Ukraine, revocation of licenses, a ban on participation in public procurement and privatization, a ban on entry into Ukraine, as well as the termination of cultural, scientific, and sports cooperation.
At the same time, it is noted that despite sanctions by the EU, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and other countries, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a course toward partial normalization of relations with the Lukashenko regime. In 2025, Washington lifted a number of restrictions, including those related to Belarusian potash and the airline Belavia, after which Minsk released about 100 political prisoners.