BRUSSELS (Reuters). – On Thursday, the European Union imposed sanctions against Belavia state-owned Belarusian airlines. The EU accused Belavia of flying in migrants in order to undermine European states. In a joint round of punitive steps with the United States,

Reuters first reported on the proposed sanctions in November 10, and they were finally approved by Parliament last month. These sanctions were published in an official EU journal and went into effect Thursday. Canada and Britain also placed new sanctions against Belarus on Thursday.

EU government blacklisted 17 persons and 11 entities. These include judges and top officials in Belarus. These sanctions come in the form travel bans or asset freezes.

EU officials stated that the sanctions against Belavia have meant EU companies are unable to lease planes with the Belarusian airline. The exact nature of Belavia’s obligation to return 17 aircraft it leased from Irish aircraft companies was unclear.

With the addition of 26 entities, this decision increases the number total Belarusian people subject to EU sanctions by 183.

European Union charges Belarus with bringing migrants, mostly from the Middle East, to force them to illegally cross border with Poland. This is a “hybrid assault” against the bloc.

Belarus claims that it did not contribute to the current crisis. Belavia denies any wrongdoing.

Oskartour and other travel agents were also targeted by EU. They are accused of using the contacts they have with airlines to attract migrants to Belarus.

The official journal of the EU stated that President Alexander Lukashenko agreed to meet Vladimir Putin on “planning the opening of new air routes for Belavia” in order to welcome migrants.

Moscow denies involvement.

The official journal stated that “Belavia had been involved in bringing migrants to Belarus from the Middle East.” Belavia has been operating flights from several Middle Eastern countries to ferry migrants to Minsk in order to allow them to cross the Union’s border externally.

Belavia is currently barred by the European Union from flying after a grounded plane was earlier in the year.