Biden Reviews Belarus Economic Sanctions Over 'Passenger Plane Forced Landing'

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Photo by WSJ)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Biden administration is reportedly considering economic sanctions against Belarus for forcibly landing an Irish airline Ryanair passenger plane to arrest opposition figures, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 25th (local time).

WSJ reported that the U.S. State Department is discussing imposing new economic sanctions in response to the Belarus regime's crackdown on opposition figures, violent suppression of anti-government protests, and the forced landing of the passenger plane. Previously, the U.S. and others imposed sanctions such as asset freezes on Belarusian officials and organizations.

The main content of the upcoming economic sanctions is expected to be trade restrictions on petroleum products and potassium chloride, which are major sources of revenue for the current Belarus regime.

Earlier on the 20th, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was visiting the U.S.

At the meeting, Tsikhanouskaya reportedly requested support for independent Belarusian media and civil society, as well as increased economic pressure on the Lukashenko regime.

While Tsikhanouskaya expressed concerns that such Western pressure might deepen Belarus's dependence on Russia, she also indicated fears of becoming subordinate to Russia, stating that "we are already facing an irreversible situation."

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has strengthened cooperation by holding four summit meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin just this year.

Russia and Belarus maintain one of the closest relationships among former Soviet independent states, having signed a state integration treaty in 1999.

Following the meeting with Tsikhanouskaya, the White House issued a statement saying, "The United States, together with partners and allies, will hold the Lukashenko regime accountable for its actions through sanctions and other measures."

Earlier this year, the European Union (EU) also imposed sanctions on Belarus, including trade restrictions on petroleum products, potassium chloride, and goods used in tobacco product manufacturing.

On May 23, President Lukashenko forcibly landed an Irish Ryanair passenger plane at Minsk Airport using fighter jets to arrest opposition figure Raman Pratasevich, who was on board.

Pratasevich was arrested immediately after landing at the airport. Lukashenko drew international condemnation for this unprecedented act of hijacking a passenger plane to arrest opposition figures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.