EU leaders have announced a ban on all Belarusian flights into EU airspace and a ban on the country's state carrier Belavia from landing at EU airports.  

During tonight's EU summit in Brussels, leaders have also agreed a ban on EU carriers overflying Belarusian airspace.  

Leaders have also agreed to deepen sanctions against companies and individuals associated with the Lukashenko regime, as well as broader economic sanctions.  

Following the forced grounding of Ryanair Flight 4978, EU leaders have also demanded the immediate release of the opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega.  

The new measures are contained in a statement issued on social media by the European Council press service.