Belarus: Council broadens scope of sanctions regime to cover hybrid activities against EU member states 11:05 The Council introduced an additional criterion for the listing of[...]

Today, the Council introduced a new criterion for the listing of individuals, entities and bodies benefiting from, involved in or facilitating actions or policies attributable to the Republic of Belarus, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the EU and its member states. Today's decision follows the recent meteorological balloon incursions into Lithuania's airspace.

The new criterion will allow the EU to impose restrictive measures against those who plan, direct, engage in support or facilitate foreign information manipulation and interference. Moreover, the EU will be able to sanction individuals and entities engaged in actions targeted at the functioning of democratic institutions, economic activities or services of public interest of the EU and its member states. The EU will also be able to target the unauthorised entry into the territory of a member state

Finally, the new criterion also covers actions aimed at interfering with, damaging or destroying critical infrastructure, as well as widespread or systematic actions resulting in the disruption of such infrastructure.

Background

In its conclusions of 23 October 2025, the European Council condemned Russia's and Belarus' intensified hybrid attacks and the recent violations of EU airspace.

On 29 October 2025, the High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the EU condemning Belarus' persistent, provocative and unacceptable actions against the EU and its member states.

Since 1 January 2025, Lithuania has recorded a growing number of airspace violations, which increased sharply since October 2025. These incidents involve both drones and the misuse of meteorological balloons for contraband purposes. Launched from Belarus, each balloon carries up to 50 kg of payload, can fly at altitudes of up to 8-15km, and at speeds of up to 100-200km/h, thus posing serious security and safety risks, primarily to civil aviation. These incursions into Lithuania's airspace have disrupted hundreds of flights and inflicted substantial losses to airlines, thousands of travellers, and state authorities. They aim to destabilise an EU member state and to intimidate European citizens through direct threats posed to civilian aviation. The use of these balloons occurs in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, along with other actions that also include state-sponsored migrant smuggling.

The statement of 29 October called on the Belarusian regime to immediately stop all these actions, and to adopt without further delay effective measures to control its airspace, state border and territory, and fight and prevent organised criminal activities originating within it.

• Consolidated text: Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP of 15 October 2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine (20 July 2025)
• Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Belarus' hybrid actions at the EU external border (29 October 2025)
• European Council conclusions (23 October 2025)
• EU restrictive measures against Belarus (background information)
• Belarus (background information)