US hits Belarus with new sanctions over Russia support, Treasury says

US hits Belarus with new sanctions over Russia support, Treasury says

The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on individuals and entities in Belarus who have supported Moscow's war in Ukraine through military resource production and the shipment of goods, the Treasury Department said.

The sanctions, imposed on 19 individuals, 14 entities and one aircraft, also target people involved in sanctions evasion on behalf of Belarusian defense entities and revenue generation for people in President Alexander Lukashenko's inner circle, the department said in a statement.

The action was taken under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, aimed at pressuring Lukashenko over accusations he has cracked down on the opposition during his 30 years in power. Lukashenko denies this.

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One of the entities targeted is Peleng, a leading Belarusian firm that produces components for spacecraft, satellites and military vehicles, the department said, describing the company as an important industrial partner for Russia.

Friday's action was taken together with Canada and Britain, the department said.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced Ottawa was imposing sanctions against 10 individuals and six entities "in response to their involvement in ongoing and systematic human rights abuses in Belarus".

Britain said the coordinated action marked the fourth anniversary of the "deeply flawed" 2020 presidential elections in Belarus.

Most independent observers believe Lukashenko lost that election. He hung on to power by imprisoning thousands to crush months of street protests with the help of his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.