Finland proposes tariffs on all Russian imports
Illustrative photo: Finland proposed imposing tariffs on all Russian imports to the EU (Getty Images)
Finland has proposed introducing tariffs on all imports from Russia to the European Union, which would operate in parallel with the existing sanctions against the terrorist state, Bloomberg reports.
According to the Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, the European Commission "has full mandate to do this (introducing tariffs — ed.)" However, she noted that such a step would require the unanimous agreement of all EU member states.
"If in the future some of the sanctions lose their effectiveness, or whatever happens, we would still have this tariff," Valtonen stated.
Bloomberg adds that the proposal to introduce tariffs emerged as the EU faces a potential new clash with Hungary over the renewal of tariffs imposed after the start of the full-scale war.
At the same time, trade measures such as tariffs offer a workaround, since they require only a qualified majority for approval.
EU sanctions against Russia
Following the full-scale invasion, the EU has implemented a series of sanctions against Russia. These include restrictions on technology exports, energy limitations, financial sanctions against banks, a ban on access to European markets, and the closure of airspace to Russian airlines.
In addition, the EU has frozen about 200 billion euros of the Russian Central Bank's assets and imposed personal sanctions on hundreds of individuals and companies involved in the aggression, including high-ranking officials, military personnel, propagandists, and enterprises supporting the war.
According to media reports, Poland plans to agree on the EU's 17th sanctions package against Russia by July 1.
