The European Union's restrictions on Belarus expire at the end of February 2026. Formally, the restrictions are in force until February 28, after which they may be either extended or revised. Against the backdrop of recent steps by the US to partially ease its policy towards Minsk, discussions about possible changes on the part of Brussels have intensified in European capitals.

As Maria Martišutė, an analyst at the European Policy Centre in Brussels, told the Lithuanian publication LRT, some EU member states are now in favour of targeted concessions for Belarus. In particular, she said, there are discussions about partially opening European airspace to Belarusian airlines. In addition, Hungary and Slovakia have proposed considering the exclusion of a number of Belarusian businessmen from the EU sanctions lists.

The analyst directed separate criticism at Lithuania, pointing to the inconsistency of its position. According to her, Vilnius simultaneously advocates for strengthening restrictions and resuming dialogue, which sends mixed signals to pan-European institutions. At the same time, according to Martišute, there are many countries in the EU that advocate for resuming contacts not only with the Belarusian authorities, but also with the Russian leadership.

Petras Katinas, an expert on sanctions policy at the RUSI think tank, gave a more cautious assessment of the situation. He noted that it is premature to talk about the imminent lifting of European restrictions.