UK MoD accuses Belarus of 'persistently adhering' to Russia's position on war in Ukraine

In its latest intelligence update about prevailing situation in Eastern Europe, United Kingdom's Defence Ministry claimed that Belarusian government continues to here to Russia's position on war in Ukraine. Stating this, ministry also referred to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's July 21 statement wherein he called on Ukraine to accept Russia's demands in order to bring ongoing war to an end. 

"His (Lukashenko's) regime has become ever more authoritarian, with expansion of death penalty for ‘preparing terrorist acts’. His increasing and baseless accusations of Western designs on Belarus and Ukraine likely indicate that he has become almost wholly dependent on Russia," UK Defence Ministry noted. It furr claimed that Russian Armed Forces fired at least 20 missiles into norrn Ukrainian region on July 28, using Belarusian territory. "This follows Russia’s use of Belarusian territory to launch main thrusts of its failed attempt to take Kyiv in February," UK's intelligence report stated.  

UK government bans export of luxury goods to Belarus

Earlier in July, UK government also me decision to forbid export of luxury goods, including British artwork and designer handbags, as well as oil refining equipment to Belarus. In dition, Britain also banned export of vanced technology components such as ones used in quantum computing to Belarus for supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  British government has also stated that it will outlaw importation of iron and steel from Belarus. Notably, fresh restrictions imposed on Belarus by UK came in new package of sanctions to block tre in “goods worth around 60 million pounds”

West continues to tighten sanctions against Russia and Belarus

It is worth mentioning here that Western nations including European Union (EU), UK and US have tightened sanctions against both Russia and Belarus as conflict in Ukraine has continued to escalate for over five months now. In retaliation to Western sanctions, Belarusian government has also prohibited  sale of shares in nation's companies by investors from "unfriendly states." According to media reports, investors have been banned from investing in as many as 190 Belarusian companies. 

Image: AP