Eight non-EU countries align with latest EU sanctions against Belarus

BRUSSELS: Eight non-European Union countries have agreed to align their policies with the European Union’s latest sanctions against Belarus, expanding international pressure on Minsk over its role in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

According to the European Union, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine have supported the restrictive measures adopted by the EU on July 23, 2026.

The European Union welcomed the decision by the eight countries, saying the sanctions are aimed at restricting the transfer to Belarus of goods, products and technologies that could contribute to the country’s military, defence, technical or security capabilities.

The latest measures further tighten restrictions on trade and technology transfers involving Belarus, particularly products and technologies that could be used to strengthen the country’s defence and industrial capabilities.

The EU said that Belarus’ close ties with Russia and its support for Moscow in the war against Ukraine made it necessary to maintain pressure on Minsk. The bloc has therefore continued to expand the scope of sanctions targeting Belarus.

None of the eight countries joining the latest measures is a member of the European Union. However, several of them have previously aligned their foreign policies and sanctions regimes with EU decisions.

The EU’s sanctions against Belarus also take into account the human rights situation in the country, actions by the Belarusian authorities and Minsk’s role in Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.

The latest move broadens the international reach of the sanctions against Belarus, with several non-EU countries joining the EU in aligning their policies with restrictive measures targeting Minsk.