In Russia, a large part of sanctioned goods from the EU was “lost” during transit – World – News

Since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, the European Union has sent goods subject to sanctions worth 2 billion dollars (roughly 1.8 billion euros) in transit through Russia, but only half of it has reached its destination.

Photo: SITA/AP

People walk on a bridge over loaded wagons standing at a freight station in Kaliningrad, Russia, waiting to depart through Lithuanian territory to Russia. Vilnius has banned the transport of Russian goods subject to EU economic sanctions through Lithuanian territory.

Products intended for Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan “disappeared” during transport, the British newspaper wrote Financial Times with reference to open data.

For example, during the 13 months of the war, Lithuanian companies sent $84 million worth of dual-use goods to Kazakhstan, but Kazakhstan reported receiving only $11 million worth of products.

The goods that remained on the territory of Russia can potentially be used for military or intelligence purposes, according to the EU leadership. These are aircraft components, soldering irons, optical equipment, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, etc.

“Where else could it go? Why would these countries suddenly need these goods at such a time? Who needs these goods in the region the most? It is clear that it is Russia,” said Erki Kodar, a senior official at Estonia’s foreign ministry in charge of legal and consular affairs and sanctions oversight.

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In February of this year, on the first anniversary of the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the E.U completely banned transit goods with dual use through Russia. Currently, Western countries are focusing on limiting re-exports, as a result of which the sanctioned goods reach Russia with the help of third countries.

As part of the eleventh package of sanctions, the US and EU countries are negotiating a complete ban on exports to Russia, Bloomberg wrote. If it is now allowed to deliver to Russia all goods except those from the sanctions lists, then under the new approach it will be possible to export to the country only those products that receive an exemption.

VIDEO: Last year, the former head of Slovak diplomacy, Ivan Korčok, spoke about Ukrainian grain, but also about the fact that the EU should explain that the established sanctions against Russia are not responsible for high food prices.

The EU is also considering the possibility ban the export of goods to those countries that subsequently send it to Russia. First, such countries should be warned that they are suspected of re-exporting the sanctioned goods. If they continue to violate the restrictions, they will be subject to export control measures.