The officials of member states in the European Union agreed to increase sanctions on Russia in Belarus, according to a document released in Versailles on the first day of the EU summit. 

According to the document, the states are "determined to increase even further our pressure on Russia and Belarus. We have adopted significant sanctions and remain ready to move quickly with further sanctions."

They also expressed their readiness to aid Ukraine in its reconstruction after Russia concludes its military operation, detailing that "we will not leave them [Ukraine] alone. The EU and its Member States will continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support. "

Japan sanctions 3 Belarusian banks

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Japan has imposed sanctions against 3 Belarusian banks effective on April 10.

Banks targeted include Belagroprombank, Bank Dabrabyt, and Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus. Assets will be frozen and transactions will be restricted, according to the Ministry.

Last month, Japan participated in the global sanctions campaign against Russia and sanctioned numerous officials including President Alexander Lukashenko due to his support for Russi'a military operation in Ukraine.

Sanctions exclude Russia's oil and gas sectors

On his part, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that the European Union sanctions will not target Russia’s oil and gas sectors.

"We have decided the most important issue in our favor: there will be no sanctions related to the oil and gas sector, that is, Hungary's energy supply will be ensured in the future," Orban said after an EU summit, as quoted by the hirado.hu news portal.

European Council: Sanctions against Russia will affect Europe

Last week, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said the sanctions imposed on Russia will affect Europe as well, stressing the need to prepare for this situation. 

Michel said in a speech to the European Parliament that the repercussions of sanctions will greatly affect Russia, stressing the mobilization of efforts to prevent the use of the Russian Central Bank reserves. 

He stressed that the European Union will continue to support Ukraine against Russia, noting that the Union will seriously consider Ukraine's request to join it.