Estonia and Lithuania have joined Latvia in banning vehicles with Belarusian license plates from entering their territories.

Estonia's foreign ministry announced Wednesday that the decision follows the European Union's recent tightening of sanctions against Belarus, aimed at preventing it from circumventing the sanctions imposed on Russia due to the war in Ukraine.

Estonia's ban, effective immediately, exempts only vehicles with diplomatic license plates and those operating for humanitarian purposes. All other vehicles with Belarusian license plates must be re-registered in Estonia and declared at customs.

Lithuania implemented similar rules on July 18, following Latvia's decision on July 16.