The new sanctions of the European Commission are only half-measures with many “loopholes”

A number of exceptions remain in the new EU sanctions against Russia, creating opportunities for circumvention.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

The decision of the European Commission states that the EU member states may, at their discretion, allow the enterprises of Russia and Belarus to transport certain categories of goods, in particular:

• natural gas and oil, including refined petroleum products, as well as titanium, aluminium, copper, nickel, palladium and iron ore;
• pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers;
• humanitarian cargo;
• a separate provision provides for the possibility of making exceptions for Russian companies in the export and transfer of cultural property provided for temporary use.

“The economic consequences of the sanctions should be commensurate with the losses that Russia inflicted on Ukrainian and European consumers as a result of the destroyed infrastructure – thousands of kilometers of roads, railway stations, airports and blocked seaports. Currently, those goods that cannot be exported from Ukrainian ports will be delivered to the EU by road and rail. The cost of building new logistics routes will amount to billions,” the Ministry of Infrastructure notes.

The department also clarifies that we are talking not only about the losses of Ukraine, but also about the countries of Europe. Indeed, in order to receive these goods, the EU member states must prepare their infrastructure for warehouses, customs points, sanitation services, etc.

The MIU also notes that a number of EU countries take a neutral position and refrain from directly blaming Russia for the war against Ukraine. Accordingly, such countries are more likely to take advantage of these exceptions and again allow the aggressor to earn on European markets in order to continue their crimes on the territory of Ukraine.

After all, even if the possibility of falsification of shipping and customs invoices is completely ruled out, the above list of exempt goods still leaves Russia and Belarus with huge opportunities for earning, the ministry believes.

“The expediency of such half-measures, which leave a huge space for circumventing sanctions, is incomprehensible. This position of partners does not look consistent and logical. Civilized Europe must finally get rid of dependence on Russian and Belarusian goods. And finally, stop funding the war in Ukraine,” the statement said.