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EU Sanctions Russian Billionaire as U.S. Joins Action on Belarus

  • Measures target key industries including potash and petroleum
  • Sanctions also a response to government crackdown on protests
TheBoeing 737-8AS Ryanair passenger plane (flight FR4978, SP-RSM) from Athens. 

TheBoeing 737-8AS Ryanair passenger plane (flight FR4978, SP-RSM) from Athens. 

Photographer: Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images

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The U.S., the U.K. and the European Union sanctioned dozens of Belarusian individuals and organizations on Monday in a coordinated response to last month’s forced landing of a Ryanair flight and the government’s ongoing crackdown on President Alexander Lukashenko’s political opponents.

In a joint statement, the governments, along with Canada, expressed deep concern about steps taken by Lukashenko since his discredited declaration of victory in last year’s presidential election, including continuing attacks on human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law.