Brussels: The Council of the European Union has extended its sanctions on Belarus to include hybrid activities targeting EU member states that pose threats to democracy, the rule of law, stability, or security.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Council announced that this decision follows recent breaches of Lithuanian airspace by weather balloons. The newly established criterion allows the EU to impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities that plan, direct, support, or facilitate information manipulation and foreign interference operations.
The Council's statement elaborated that the EU now has the capacity to sanction those involved in actions targeting democratic institutions, economic activities, or public services within the EU and its member states. This includes actions related to unauthorized entry into member states' territories.
Furthermore, the scope of the sanctions covers acts aimed at interfering with, damaging, or destroying critical infrastructure, as well as large-scale or systematic actions leading to infrastructure disruptions.
The European Union had previously condemned the increasing hybrid attacks from Russia and Belarus, along with recent airspace violations. Since January 1, 2025, Lithuania has experienced a surge in airspace violations, particularly since October 2025. These incidents, involving drones and weather balloons used for smuggling, have disrupted hundreds of flights and caused significant losses for airlines and passengers.