Overview
- The EU Council adopted a new sanctions criterion that broadens its Belarus regime to cover hybrid activities.
- The framework now allows listings for unauthorised entry into an EU country’s territory as well as foreign information manipulation and interference.
- The criteria extend to actions that disrupt democratic institutions, economic activity or critical infrastructure, with Vilnius Airport cited as a case example.
- EU messaging links the move to repeated weather or smuggler balloons from Belarus that have disrupted Lithuanian air traffic, affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers.
- Lithuania has declared a state of emergency and sought military support for internal security, while Belarus denies responsibility and accuses Vilnius of provocations.