Belarus was hit with export restrictions for helping Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, Department of Commerce officials said.
Russia invaded its eastern European neighbor on Feb. 24, alleging that the Ukrainian government was filled with Nazis and must demilitarize. The assault is a significant escalation of the conflict that started in 2014.
Commerce Imposes Sweeping Export Restrictions on Belarus for Enabling Russia's Further Invasion of Ukraine
"The photos, videos, and reports coming out of Ukraine are heart-wrenching — both due to the brutality of the Russian assault and for the amazing resolve of the Ukrainian people," Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a release. "The Commerce Department will continue to lead strong, coordinated action with our global allies and partners to apply maximum pressure on Russia, its enabler Belarus, and any other parties that may seek to support them."
On March 2, the Bureau of Industry and Security extended the export controls it had put on Russia to Belarus as punishment for that nation's enabling of Russia's invasion into Ukraine.
Applying these controls on Belarus will help prevent Russia from obtaining essential items through Belarus, thereby degrading both nations' ability to sustain military aggression.
The rule also adds Belarus to the two new Foreign Direct Product rules, nearly totally banning exports of items to the Russian and Belarusian militaries.
