Canada & UK Impose Belarus Sanctions, US Absent

January 27, Canada announced it is imposing new sanctions against 10 individuals and 12 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations in response to ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The entities being sanctioned include three Belarusian state organizations  involved in "gross and systematic human rights violations". Canada is also sanctioning nine entities that are part of the Belarusian military-industrial complex. Certain senior officials of these entities are also being sanctioned.

These sanctions are being announced in coordination with the United Kingdom.  Customarily, such announcements are coordinated with US sanctions authorities in the Departments of State and Treasury., but action in Washington was lacking.

The election that took place on January 26, 2025, extended the rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and is known for his authoritarian governance and suppression of legitimate political dissent.

In London, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated the UK Sanctions List, and OFSI’s consolidated list of asset freeze targets has been updated to reflect these changes.

European Sanctions Package

On January 29, the European Commission proposed its 16th sanctions package against Russia, which includes a ban on primary aluminium imports and video game consoles, but failed to include a ban on Russian LNG imports.

The decision of the Commission to not touch Russian LNG is a sign of persistent divisions among the 27 member states. Ten countries, including the Nordic and Baltic states – none of which currently imports Russian LNG – called for a ban last month. 

Reuters reports officials are concerned that cutting off Russian supplies before securing alternatives could leave Europe vulnerable.  The US currently exports 70% of its LNG to Europe and is at capacity, with new terminals not expected until 2030.