EU Court Upheld Sanctions on BelAZ and MAZ
The General Court of the EU rejected attempts by two major Belarusian state-owned manufacturers to annul sanctions.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Economic Policy
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The General Court of the European Union ruled against BelAZ and MAZ, denying their applications to remove sanctions imposed for their support of the Lukashenko regime. The Court determined that the companies remain critical sources of state revenue.
Why it matters
The ruling affirms the EU's authority to maintain sanctions against state-owned enterprises that provide vital funding to the Belarusian government. It also highlights the continued use of economic restrictions as a tool to address political instability.
State-owned enterprises contribute 38% of the total budget revenue in Belarus. The EU maintains that BelAZ and MAZ remain essential contributors to the regime's financial stability.
The players
BelAZ
This is a Belarusian state-owned manufacturer of large trucks and dump trucks.
MAZ
This is a Belarusian state-owned automotive manufacturer that allegedly supplies military trucks.
General Court of the EU
This is a judicial body that hears cases brought against institutions of the European Union.
The details
The court dismissed arguments from BelAZ and MAZ claiming the EU relied on outdated evidence for the sanctions. Judges ruled that evidence of the companies' state ownership and economic importance justifies their continued inclusion on the list, particularly as MAZ reportedly supplies trucks to the Russian army.
Timeline
2020: Employee protests followed the national elections.
2021: The EU first listed BelAZ and MAZ under sanctions.
2023: The companies lost earlier challenges to their original listings.
2024: The EU renewed the sanctions listings for both companies.
2025: Sanctions were renewed again amid claims of military supply activity.
Macro View
The ruling reflects a broader pattern of European judicial support for restrictive economic measures against regimes deemed to be in violation of democratic norms. It mirrors established legal precedents regarding the role of state-owned entities in sustaining authoritarian governments.
The ruling reinforces that state-owned companies in Belarus will continue to face barriers in accessing European markets. These sanctions impact global supply chains by restricting the trade of heavy vehicles and industrial equipment produced by these firms.
The takeaway
This decision underscores the legal endurance of sanctions designed to weaken state-controlled economies linked to political regimes. Companies operating under such sanctions should expect ongoing scrutiny and limitations on their international economic reach.
Further reading
For more background on international trade regulations, visit the Economic Policy section.
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