Relationship dossier

Belarus Finland

Relationship assessment

Relations are strained by Belarusian repression and reciprocal measures connected to EU sanctions.

Belarus toward Finland

-30

Belarus has imposed countermeasures affecting EU member states in response to EU sanctions, including restrictions on imports from the EU. These measures bear on Finland as an EU member, although their specific bilateral impact is unclear.

Finland toward Belarus

-40

Finland has supported EU sanctions against Belarusian officials and entities following the Belarusian government's repression of opposition and civil society. Finnish policy toward Belarus is substantially conducted through the EU framework.

Overall relationship

-35

The relationship is shaped by a sustained political dispute over Belarusian repression and the resulting EU sanctions, alongside Belarusian countermeasures affecting EU states. These features outweigh any limited bilateral cooperation known here.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100: Extreme sustained hostility
−50: Substantially adversarial
0: Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50: Substantially cooperative
+100: Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Relations are substantially strained by Belarusian repression and Finland's support for EU measures against the Belarusian government. Belarus has responded to EU sanctions with countermeasures affecting EU member states, including Finland. The relationship is shaped more by political confrontation than by substantial bilateral cooperation.

Areas of tension

EU sanctions on Belarusian officials and entities following repression of opposition and civil society.
Belarusian countermeasures affecting EU member states in response to EU sanctions.

Key developments

Finland supported EU sanctions against Belarus following the government's repression of opposition and civil society.
Belarus imposed countermeasures affecting EU member states in response to EU sanctions.

Major uncertainties

The extent of direct bilateral cooperation outside EU policy is unclear.
The practical impact of Belarusian countermeasures on Finland is unclear.

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