U.S. Sanctions Will Hit Cockroach's Finances and Trade Around the World
- 2.04.2021, 13:04
The effect will be much stronger than Minsk expected.
The United States announced the return of sanctions against some Belarusian enterprises.
The United States sanctions against nine Belarusian companies will be renewed unless the Belarusian regime releases all political prisoners in the near future, says the U.S. Department of State.
It applies to Belneftekhim and Belneftekhim USA, Naftan, Belarusian Oil Trading House, Belshina, Grodno Azot, Grodno Khimvolokno, open joint-stock companies Lakokraska and Polotsk-Steklovolokno, reports Belsat.
Renewal of sanctions will mean that U.S. businesses and citizens will be forbidden to enter into economic and financial relationships with these organizations, while all their property and accounts located in the country will be frozen.
"This unequivocally worsens the opportunity to operate not only in the U.S. market but around the world. Sanctions mark that there could be problems. There may be problems with financial institutions, the operation of international markets," says political analyst Andrei Kazakevich.
Washington D.C. imposed sanctions on some Belarusian companies and officials after the 2006 election. However, they suspended in 2015 due to "certain progress in democracy and human rights". The U.S. authorities decided to freeze sanctions every year. The last suspension expires on April 26.
"We urge the Belarusian authorities to fulfil the steps, which could allow us not to impose sanctions. First of all, it's the release of all political prisoners. Lukashenka's regime is still capable of taking these steps necessary to change course," said Ned Price, chief of the press service of the U.S. Department of State.
The U.S. has previously imposed visa restrictions on 43 Belarusian officials for election fraud and violent repression of peaceful protests. The European Union has already approved three sanctions packages against Lukashenka, more than 80 officials and security officers, seven organizations and companies. Poland and the Baltic States imposed separate extended sanctions against the Belarusian regime.