U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Belavia and Lukashenko Aircraft in Belarus

The U.S. Treasury Department eased parts of its Belarus sanctions regime on Tuesday, lifting measures on the state airline Belavia and authorizing certain transactions tied to President Alexander Lukashenko’s presidential aircraft, Reuters reported.

Treasury’s OFAC removed restrictions on Belavia and a jet previously used by senior officials and members of Lukashenko’s family, and issued a general license covering limited transactions for three aircraft used by Lukashenko or by Slavkali, a company linked to his government.

The step marks a thaw in relations after years of Washington’s efforts to isolate Minsk. It follows Belarus’s September release of 52 prisoners after an appeal from President Donald Trump, which came with a pledge of sanctions relief enabling Belavia to service and procure aircraft components, the news outlet said.

Despite the move, a raft of U.S. measures imposed over Belarus’s 2020 election and its support for Russia remains in place, including sanctions on Lukashenko and his family.