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“Belarus is highly dependent on trade with Europe, trade in petroleum products, machinery and even European financing, as half of Belarus’ debts are owed to Western banks. Those sectors may be subject to sanctions,” Landsbergis said.
When asked by a journalist from El País if there were no fears that such measures would push Lukashenko into the arms of Moscow, Landsberg noted that it would also increase the cost of holding Belarus for Russia.
“There is no doubt that this would increase the price Moscow has to pay to keep Lukashenko, and I’m not sure if Putin wants to do that. Putin is currently in a difficult situation, “he said.
Overall, Landsberg argued, it appears that Russian President Vladimir Putin is at a crossroads.
“On the one hand, he would like to get rid of Lukashenko because he is ineffective and those sanctions are costly for Russia. On the other hand, allowing Lukashenko to be overthrown would be like a confession that social pressure has forced him to resign. And that would lead to interesting ideas in Russia. I think Russia is at a crossroads, “Landsberg said.
Measures applied to Belarus may also affect Lithuania
Landsbergis did not rule out the possibility that sanctions against Belarus could also harm Lithuania. However, the minister said, despite the need to discuss disciplinary measures against the regime.
“We continue to think that this needs to be discussed, and we believe it is correct,” he said, noting that Lithuania, which had suffered losses, could turn to the EU for help.
“If the decision really hurts our economy, we can ask the EU for help or compensation. The best thing would be to find a balance,” the minister told the Spanish newspaper.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a plenary debate on Tuesday that he expected EU member states to adopt other sanctions against Belarus at the next summit. Specific economic sanctions were agreed for the first time.
The European Parliament calls for additional sanctions against the Belarusian regime in response to the crash landing of a passenger plane and the arrest of blogger Raman Pratasevich in Minsk.
Criminal sanctions are planned for the crude oil refining industry, the oil production industry, the potash fertilizer industry, the steel and wood refining industry, according to the resolution passed Thursday.
In addition, cooperation with Belarusian state banks should be stopped. Consideration should also be given to the temporary exclusion of Belarus from the Swift payment system.
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