EU expands Belarus trade controls and crypto restrictions

BRUSSELS, July 23, 2026 — The European Union widened restrictions on trade with Belarus, targeting military-related goods, revenue-generating imports and crypto-asset businesses as part of measures linked to Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1846 expands controls on items that could support Belarus’s military and technological capacity or its defense and security sector. The additions include nickel and beryllium products, aerospace and defense films and tapes, equipment specific to unmanned aerial vehicles, jamming and interception systems, launch systems, servomotors, and flight termination systems for UAVs or missiles.

The measure also introduces import restrictions covering copper, nickel, lead and precious-metals ores; unwrought zinc; alkaline-earth metals; certain zinc and chromium oxides; tall oil; glassware; and car parts. The Council said those goods could help Belarus diversify revenue sources that enable its involvement in the war.

Four entities are being added to the list subject to restrictions on authorizations for dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods that could strengthen the Belarusian or Russian military, technology, defense or security sectors.

Separate provisions broaden an existing ban on Belarusian nationals and residents owning, controlling or holding governing-body posts in EU-incorporated crypto businesses. The current rule covers wallet, account and custody services; from Aug. 25, it extends to other crypto-asset services defined under EU law.

The regulation also adjusts derogations intended to preserve goods and services needed for public internet infrastructure in Belarus. Competent authorities may authorize specified machinery and related assistance for civilian electronic communications networks, subject to nonmilitary use and end-user conditions and other authorization requirements.

A further amendment permits eligible people and entities they own or control to seek direct or indirect damages, including legal costs, in member-state courts when sanctions-related claims are brought against them in third-country courts and effective remedies are unavailable there.

The regulation enters into force July 24 and applies directly across EU member states. The widened product scope, added entities and crypto provisions may affect trade-control, sanctions-screening and governance data used by compliance teams.