EU, US to impose travel ban on Lukashenko

We all know Belarus isn't getting into the EU. But soon top Belarusian officials might not even be able to physically enter the bloc.

The AP, via WashPost, says the EU is going to sanction Belarus by imposing measures such as a travel ban on President Alexander Lukashenko.

No economic sanctions are foreseen, officials have said, adding they want to focus their attention on political leaders rather than punishing Belarusians.

Any exercise of EU "foreign policy" is interesting, but one wonders if non-collective punishment (short of assassination) can be effective. It is nice of the EU to try to avoid hurting the Balarusian economy - for the sake of its people, but also of course because sanctions are arguably ineffective. But will the scolding - including travel ban - ever really change Belarus?

UPDATE: The US is planning the same measures, according to a Washington Post update filed this afternoon. They plan steps "parallel" to those of the European Council.