US lifts sanctions on Belavia and Lukashenko family aircraft

US lifts sanctions on Belavia and aircraft linked to Lukashenko's family

US Treasury announces lifting of sanctions against Belarusian state airline «Belavia», that have been in force since 2021. This became known after the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated its sanctions list.

In addition, the following are excluded from the list of restrictions private jet, that the family uses Alexander Lukashenko, and allowed to conduct financial transactions with three related aircraft.

Reason for the decision

According to the US media, the decision to lift the restrictions was made after the Belarusian authorities released 52 political prisoners, including 14 foreign citizens.

The US has previously stated that it is ready to consider easing of sanctions against Minsk in the event of concrete steps to improve the human rights situation.

Context.

Sanctions against Belavia and Belarusian state structures were imposed after mass repressions in 2020-2021 and the Lukashenka regime's support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the current easing, Washington maintains most of the sanctions restrictions against Minsk, stressing that further decisions will depend on «specific actions of the Belarusian authorities».