Answer given by Ms Albuquerque on behalf of the European Commission
11.9.2025
The Commission is aware of public reports about the sale of three Airbus A330-200 aircraft to Belavia. EU sanctions on Belarus[1] prohibit EU operators from providing services, like maintenance, and from making any other economic resources available to listed persons or entities, including Belavia.
Sale or supply of aircraft to or for use in Belarus is also prohibited. These sanctions apply to EU operators and persons doing business within the EU. Based on reports available to the Commission, it seems that the sale was conducted outside of EU jurisdiction.
Member States are responsible for implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions , including conducting investigations into potential non-compliance cases, including for sanctions circumvention, should information available to them point in that direction.
In general, tackling the circumvention of EU sanctions through third countries is a top priority for the EU. The Commission continuously monitors trade flows of sanctioned goods to third countries and works closely with the Member States to identify suspicious transactions.
Together with the EU Sanctions Envoy, it actively engages with third countries to ensure their jurisdictions are not used as platforms for circumvention.
Where appropriate, the Commission, together with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, can propose new sanctions.
This includes the imposition of sanctions on new targets, such as persons responsible for circumvention. Adoption of sanctions requires the unanimous approval of all 27 Member States.
- [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 of 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.