China has lodged a diplomatic protest against Canada for including Chinese companies in new sanctions against Russia, its foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

The European Union has announced expanded sanctions on Belarus as part of its 16th package of restrictive measures targeting Russia, according to a statement from the European Commission on February 24,

European Union countries on Monday suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The EU has a range of sanctions in place targeting both individuals and economic sectors in Syria.

The European Union has agreed to partially suspend several sanctions on Syria’s energy industry, including scrapping bans on importing crude from the country and on exporting technologies to the oil and gas industry.

The European Union on Monday began easing energy and transport sanctions and banking restrictions against Syria, aiming to help breathe life into the conflict-torn country’s economy if its new leaders work toward a peaceful future.