WSJ: Europe agrees to sanctions exemptions for russian fertilizers under UN pressure

Earlier, the European Union introduced a new package of sanctions against russia, which at the same time is designed to alleviate the food security problems faced by poorer countries.

The deal on sanctions, which EU leaders pushed through at the last summit, was passed due to active lobbying on the issue by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, The Wall Street Journal reports. In recent days, he called a number of European leaders to convince them of the need to facilitate the transit of russian fertilizers through EU ports.

The EU has consistently indicated that food, fertilizers and other key humanitarian goods are exempt from sanctions. Now, national governments can unfreeze assets if it is absolutely necessary to supply russian fertilizers. Such exceptions must be notified to the European Commission to ensure their proper application.

To stop sanctions being circumvented, the exemptions will only apply to individuals or entities associated with significant russian agri-food businesses. The shipment must be part of a UN program or destined for a developing country that is subject to UN food security priorities.

Poland and Lithuania spoke against exceptions for specific russian oligarchs.