The Regime Complains About Western Sanctions to the Global South and Imposes New Countermeasures

Having exhausted the potential for further expanding exports to Russia, Belarus is now focusing on finding new markets in Global South countries. The recent tightening of Western sanctions signals that a return to business as usual with the West is unlikely. In response, Minsk is implementing its own countermeasures against the new sanctions packages. However, Belarus is leaving exceptions for certain imports, as it still depends on the West for several key products.

Lukashenka participated in the third “Voice of the Global South” summit, organized by India and held via videoconference. In his speech, Lukashenka noted that the era of Western dominance is fading and called on Global South countries to take a more active leadership role in international affairs.

As is typical, the politician complained about Western pressure. He claimed that Belarus has been living under illegal, unjust, and barbaric sanctions for several years, which not only impact the country but also have devastating effects on all nations. For example, the restrictions on exporting Belarusian mineral fertilizers have exacerbated food shortages and hunger in the poorest countries.

Lukashenka argued that the West continues to provoke conflicts that generate millions of refugees and then cynically blames the Global South and Belarus for the migration crisis. However, the true cause lies in the exploitation of resources and the imposition of an inequitable exchange system on developing countries.

Minsk continues to position itself as a generator of peace initiatives and as a platform for conflict resolution negotiations. Additionally, Belarus aims to contribute to strengthening the Global Majority by actively participating in international structures that unite it—such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS, with which Belarus hopes to become a partner in the near future.

Lukashenka also stated that Belarus is ready to offer the Global South countries food, industrial products, technologies, including digital ones, advanced healthcare practices, including telemedicine, training services, and more. In this way, Minsk is seeking new markets for its products due to the exhaustion of opportunities in the Russian market.

Meanwhile, in response to the new sanctions packages imposed by Western countries, the Belarusian government has expanded its embargo on imports from “unfriendly” countries. The list of banned imports now includes margarine, pasta, cement and its products, nitrogen fertilizers, tableware and kitchenware, other household items made of plastic, chipboard and MDF boards, boxes, crates, bags, packaging materials, and more. However, bricks and waters, including mineral and carbonated, have been excluded from the list of banned imports from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Estonia, likely due to the difficulty of quickly finding alternative markets for these categories of goods.

The decree also expanded the list of exceptions to the import ban. It added exempted goods intended for baby food and specialized food products registered in the unified register of state registration certificates. Thus, Belarus remains dependent on imports of these products from Western countries.

Overall, Minsk understands that the reopening of Western markets for Belarusian products is not expected in the medium term. Therefore, there is no other option but to intensify cooperation with partners among Global South countries.