EU Restrictive Measures against Belarus – Key amendments introduced by the July 2026 Package
On 23 July 2026, the Twenty-First Package of EU restrictive measures against Russia was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, as discussed in SIRI 2026 No. 05. At the same time, the Council adopted a parallel package of amendments to the EU restrictive measures targeting Belarus.
The new restrictive measures have been introduced through the following legal acts:
- Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1847 of 23 July 2026 amending Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine;
- Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1846 of 23 July 2026 amending Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine;
- Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1816 of 23 July 2026 implementing Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine;
- Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1817 of 23 July 2026 implementing Article 8b(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The principal amendments introduced by this package are summarised below.
TARGETED MEASURES
New Listings
Two additional legal entities active in the oil production and refining sector have been added to Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006.
As a direct consequence of their designation, all funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by those entities shall be frozen. Furthermore, no funds or economic resources shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of those entities.
In addition, four further legal entities have been included in Annex V to the Regulation.
Annex V identifies the natural or legal persons, entities and bodies that are subject to restrictions concerning the authorisation of the sale, supply, transfer or export of dual-use items and of goods and technology which might contribute to the military and technological enhancement or to the development of the defence and security sectors of Belarus or Russia.
