The Estonian government decided to stop the transit of oil products from Belarus through the territory of the republic. This was announced on Thursday, February 3, by Prime Minister Kaya Kallas at a government press conference.
“We have decided to impose additional sanctions against Belarus and stop the transit of oil products under customs code 2707 through Estonia,” the head of the Cabinet said.
Estonia was accused of using loopholes in the EU restrictions against Belarus, in connection with which last year the import of oil products from the republic increased almost three times compared to the previous one.
Tallinn allegedly managed to do this through cooperation with companies associated with Belarusian businessman Nikolai Voroby, who is under US and EU sanctions.
According to Kallas, goods with the code 2707 are not directly subject to European sanctions, so this activity was legally correct, according to the kp.ru website.
“But the purpose of our sanctions is to put pressure on the Belarusian regime and indirectly on Russia to change their behavior,” Kallas added. At the same time, she stressed that Estonia’s foreign policy has always been based on values and will continue to be so, Ridus writes.
Relations between Belarus and Western countries deteriorated sharply after the presidential elections in the republic, which took place on August 9, 2020. Lukashenka won them. According to the CEC, he won 80.1% of the vote. After the preliminary results were announced, uncoordinated rallies began in Minsk and other cities of the republic, which led to clashes with security forces and mass detentions.
Lukashenka accused the West of direct interference in the situation in the republic. The European Union, Great Britain, the United States, Canada and a number of other countries gradually imposed sanctions against Belarusian officials, as well as enterprises, accusing Minsk of election violations and violations of human rights.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
