Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday that she asked US&nbsp;officials to impose sanctions on companies in her country.

It comes after&nbsp;Tsikhanouskaya met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;seeking stronger action against President Alexander Lukashenko's government.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has found himself increasingly isolated since flight controllers told the crew of a Ryanair plane to land in Minsk citing an alleged bomb threat. No bomb was found, but 26-year-old journalist Raman Pratasevich was arrested along with his Russian girlfriend.

More sanctions&nbsp;would go beyond existing ones on Lukashenko's political allies and government bodies and "will be a real hit on him, to make him change his behavior and to release political prisoners," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters.

Tsikhanouskaya called for much tougher action by the world's democracies against Lukashenko, who has kept a tight grip on Belarus since 1994 and cracked down on peaceful street protests that began over a disputed presidential election last August.

"I think it's high time for democratic countries to unite and show their teeth," Tsikhanouskaya said.

She met with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who conveyed the US&nbsp;"respect for the courage and determination of the opposition" in Belarus, National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement.

"The United States, together with partners and allies, will continue to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its actions, including through the imposition of sanctions," the statement said.

Tsikhanouskaya, 38, was a candidate in the election instead of her husband Sergei Tsikhanouskiy, a video blogger who has been jailed since May 2020 on charges such as violating public order, which he denies. Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania after Lukashenko's crackdown.

Lukashenko's opponents say the election was rigged so he could retain power. He denies the allegation. Meanwhile, the government has detained thousands of people amid allegations of torture, and shuttered independent media and rights groups.

Tsikhanouskaya called for&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop supporting Lukashenko.

"The relationship of&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and Belarus at the moment is so close that the next step is loss of independence," she told reporters. "We understand that Lukashenko has to pay for the support of the Kremlin."

Moscow has offered Lukashenko quick political support over the diversion, cautioning the EU against hasty action until the episode is properly investigated and arguing that Lukashenko’s actions were in line with international protocols in cases of bomb threats.

(With inputs from agencies)

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday that she asked US officials to impose sanctions on companies in her country. It comes after Tsikhanouskaya met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking stronger action against President Alexander Lukashenko's government.

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday that she asked US officials to impose sanctions on companies in her country. It comes after Tsikhanouskaya met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking stronger action against President Alexander Lukashenko's government. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has found himself increasingly isolated since flight controllers told the crew of a Ryanair plane to land in Minsk citing an alleged bomb threat. No bomb was found, but 26-year-old journalist Raman Pratasevich was arrested along with his Russian girlfriend. More sanctions would go beyond existing ones on Lukashenko's political allies and government bodies and "will be a real hit on him, to make him change his behavior and to release political prisoners," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters. Tsikhanouskaya called for much tougher action by the world's democracies against Lukashenko, who has kept a tight grip on Belarus since 1994 and cracked down on peaceful street protests that began over a disputed presidential election last August. "I think it's high time for democratic countries to unite and show their teeth," Tsikhanouskaya said. She met with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who conveyed the US "respect for the courage and determination of the opposition" in Belarus, National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement. "The United States, together with partners and allies, will continue to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its actions, including through the imposition of sanctions," the statement said. Tsikhanouskaya, 38, was a candidate in the election instead of her husband Sergei Tsikhanouskiy, a video blogger who has been jailed since May 2020 on charges such as violating public order, which he denies. Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania after Lukashenko's crackdown. Lukashenko's opponents say the election was rigged so he could retain power. He denies the allegation. Meanwhile, the government has detained thousands of people amid allegations of torture, and shuttered independent media and rights groups. Tsikhanouskaya called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop supporting Lukashenko. "The relationship of Russia and Belarus at the moment is so close that the next step is loss of independence," she told reporters. "We understand that Lukashenko has to pay for the support of the Kremlin." Moscow has offered Lukashenko quick political support over the diversion, cautioning the EU against hasty action until the episode is properly investigated and arguing that Lukashenko’s actions were in line with international protocols in cases of bomb threats. (With inputs from agencies)

After meeting Blinken, Belarus opposition leader asks US to impose more sanctions

The European Union imposed fresh&nbsp;sanctions on 78 individuals and seven entities of Belarus on Wednesday in response to the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident journalist on board in May.

The sanctions, approved by EU ambassadors and to be adopted by the bloc's foreign ministers at a meeting on Monday, target seven individuals with links to the Belarus aviation sector, according to a diplomat.

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EU ambassadors also signed off on a fourth package of asset freezes and travel bans, to be imposed on more than 70 Belarusian individuals in response to last year's contested presidential election, the diplomat said.

This fourth package of measures was already being prepared when the Ryanair jet was forced to land in Minsk on May 23 and opposition blogger Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were arrested by Belarusian authorities.

EU governments described the incident as air piracy and, at the start of June, banned Belarusian airlines from flying over European Union territory or having access to its airports.

The latest listing of seven individuals is meant as a stop-gap measure while economic sanctions are discussed to inflict real punishment on President Alexander Lukashenko. They could target bond sales, the oil sector and potash, a big Belarusian export.

Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko sparked international outrage by dispatching a fighter jet on May 23 to intercept the Athens-to-Vilnius flight and arresting dissident journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend on board.&nbsp;

The EU in response has already blocked Belarusian airlines from flying to the bloc and stopped carriers from its 27 nations from using Belarusian airpace.

Brussels is also currently working on plans to hit key sectors of the Belarusian economy, with fertiliser production and bond sales in Europe possible targets.&nbsp;

The EU has already placed 88 individuals -- including Lukashenko and his son --and seven companies on an asset freeze and visa ban blacklist over a brutal crackdown on protests since the veteran leader claimed victory at elections in August deemed fraudulent by the West.&nbsp;

Lukashenko,&nbsp;who has ruled&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;since 1994, has so far shrugged off the impact of the pressure with backing from his key ally Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union imposed fresh sanctions on 78 individuals and seven entities of Belarus on Wednesday in response to the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident journalist on board in May.

The European Union imposed fresh sanctions on 78 individuals and seven entities of Belarus on Wednesday in response to the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident journalist on board in May. The sanctions, approved by EU ambassadors and to be adopted by the bloc's foreign ministers at a meeting on Monday, target seven individuals with links to the Belarus aviation sector, according to a diplomat. EU ambassadors also signed off on a fourth package of asset freezes and travel bans, to be imposed on more than 70 Belarusian individuals in response to last year's contested presidential election, the diplomat said. This fourth package of measures was already being prepared when the Ryanair jet was forced to land in Minsk on May 23 and opposition blogger Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were arrested by Belarusian authorities. EU governments described the incident as air piracy and, at the start of June, banned Belarusian airlines from flying over European Union territory or having access to its airports. The latest listing of seven individuals is meant as a stop-gap measure while economic sanctions are discussed to inflict real punishment on President Alexander Lukashenko. They could target bond sales, the oil sector and potash, a big Belarusian export. Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko sparked international outrage by dispatching a fighter jet on May 23 to intercept the Athens-to-Vilnius flight and arresting dissident journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend on board. The EU in response has already blocked Belarusian airlines from flying to the bloc and stopped carriers from its 27 nations from using Belarusian airpace. Brussels is also currently working on plans to hit key sectors of the Belarusian economy, with fertiliser production and bond sales in Europe possible targets. The EU has already placed 88 individuals -- including Lukashenko and his son --and seven companies on an asset freeze and visa ban blacklist over a brutal crackdown on protests since the veteran leader claimed victory at elections in August deemed fraudulent by the West. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, has so far shrugged off the impact of the pressure with backing from his key ally Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

European Union imposes new sanctions on Belarus after plane re-routing

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had asked the United States for further sanctions on individuals and companies supporting the Belarus government. 
 
The Biden administration said on Friday it was drawing up a list of targeted sanctions against key members of the Belarusian government following the former Soviet republic`s forced landing of a passenger jet and arrest of a journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega on board. 
 
Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius where she is based, Tsikhanouskaya said she welcomed a decision by the United States to introduce sanctions against Belarusian state-owned oil companies starting from June 3rd. 
 
"But we also ask for futher measures in targeted sanctions against enterprises and individuals supporting the regime", Tsikhanouskaya said after a meeting with Democratic and Republican senators from the US&nbsp;Foreign Relations Committee. 
 
"Sanctions should help to stop the violence and help release of all political prisoners", she added. 
 
Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka should release Protasevich and Sapega immediately, and unharmed, and Lukashenka would be held accountable for their wellbeing. 
 
The United States would do everything it could to support the efforts of the Belarusian people efforts towards democracy, Shaheen added. 
 
"To Lukashenko, I say, it`s time for you to go. Make room for a democratically elected leader, more deserving of your people", Shaheen said.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had asked the United States for further sanctions on individuals and companies supporting the Belarus government.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had asked the United States for further sanctions on individuals and companies supporting the Belarus government. The Biden administration said on Friday it was drawing up a list of targeted sanctions against key members of the Belarusian government following the former Soviet republic`s forced landing of a passenger jet and arrest of a journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega on board. Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius where she is based, Tsikhanouskaya said she welcomed a decision by the United States to introduce sanctions against Belarusian state-owned oil companies starting from June 3rd. "But we also ask for futher measures in targeted sanctions against enterprises and individuals supporting the regime", Tsikhanouskaya said after a meeting with Democratic and Republican senators from the US Foreign Relations Committee. "Sanctions should help to stop the violence and help release of all political prisoners", she added. Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka should release Protasevich and Sapega immediately, and unharmed, and Lukashenka would be held accountable for their wellbeing. The United States would do everything it could to support the efforts of the Belarusian people efforts towards democracy, Shaheen added. "To Lukashenko, I say, it`s time for you to go. Make room for a democratically elected leader, more deserving of your people", Shaheen said.

Belarus opposition leader calls for more US sanctions

The EU on Wednesday launched a procedure to sanction Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor and 13 others held responsible for a post-election crackdown in the former Soviet state, diplomatic sources in Brussels said.

The green light to ban visas and freeze the assets of Lukashenko and the 14 others was given by envoys from the EU's 27 member states and should be confirmed in the bloc's official journal by Friday, they said.

The EU has already imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 40 Lukashenko allies for rigging an election in August that returned him to power and for orchestrating a crackdown on mass protests that have rocked the country since the vote.

The bloc had held back from penalising Lukashenko, hoping to persuade him to engage in dialogue with opposition forces to resolve the crisis.

However, this hope was not fulfilled and in mid-October, EU foreign ministers gave the go-ahead in principle to take action against the leader.&nbsp;

Lukashenko is "responsible for the violent repression by the state apparatus before and after the 2020 presidential elections", said the sanctions decision seen by AFP.&nbsp;

It also handed him responsibility for the exclusion of important opposition candidates in the election, "arbitrary arrests and the ill-treatment of peaceful demonstrators, as well as intimidation and violence against journalists".&nbsp;

The EU is also targeting Lukashenko's son Viktor, who is an acting national security advisor in Belarus.&nbsp;

Among the other persons involved are the Lukashenko's chief of staff, Igor Sergeenko, the head of the KGB secret service, Ivan Tertel, and the leader's press officer.

The EU rejected the results of the August 9 election and said it did not regard Lukashenko as the legitimate president.

The EU on Wednesday launched a procedure to sanction Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor and 13 others held responsible for a post-election crackdown in the former Soviet state, diplomatic sources in Brussels said.

The EU on Wednesday launched a procedure to sanction Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor and 13 others held responsible for a post-election crackdown in the former Soviet state, diplomatic sources in Brussels said. The green light to ban visas and freeze the assets of Lukashenko and the 14 others was given by envoys from the EU's 27 member states and should be confirmed in the bloc's official journal by Friday, they said. The EU has already imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 40 Lukashenko allies for rigging an election in August that returned him to power and for orchestrating a crackdown on mass protests that have rocked the country since the vote. The bloc had held back from penalising Lukashenko, hoping to persuade him to engage in dialogue with opposition forces to resolve the crisis. However, this hope was not fulfilled and in mid-October, EU foreign ministers gave the go-ahead in principle to take action against the leader. Lukashenko is "responsible for the violent repression by the state apparatus before and after the 2020 presidential elections", said the sanctions decision seen by AFP. It also handed him responsibility for the exclusion of important opposition candidates in the election, "arbitrary arrests and the ill-treatment of peaceful demonstrators, as well as intimidation and violence against journalists". The EU is also targeting Lukashenko's son Viktor, who is an acting national security advisor in Belarus. Among the other persons involved are the Lukashenko's chief of staff, Igor Sergeenko, the head of the KGB secret service, Ivan Tertel, and the leader's press officer. The EU rejected the results of the August 9 election and said it did not regard Lukashenko as the legitimate president.

European Union launches sanctions against Belarus leader Lukashenko