German Vice Chancellor urges to toughen stance against countries helping Russia in sanctions evasion
Photo: German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Getty Images)
Germany aims to exert pressure on countries that profit from evading sanctions against Russia, according to Bloomberg.
Habeck informed journalists in Washington that he discussed with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen the more effective implementation of restrictions against Russia.
According to him, one possible solution could be more serious discussions with countries that, as Germany knows, profit from evading sanctions.
“They also have their interests, selling their raw materials, goods, critical minerals and energy on the world market,” he stated.
How to improve the control system
Habeck stated that he is confident the G7 or the alliance of countries supporting Ukraine will act accordingly in the realm of sanctions.
He also emphasized that the current system of self-reports from companies suspected of evading sanctions may be flawed.
“But we could also turn things around so that customs officials, if they have information, go to the companies themselves and say, ‘show us the order, show us the inventory’,” Habeck said.
Russia continues to circumvent sanctions
Politico reported that despite sanctions on Russian oil, the aggressor country earned 1 billion euros in 2023 from fuel purchases by the EU.
Media also reported that the Italian company Beretta still imports firearms to Russia through its own "subsidiary" and the arms companies of the arms baron Mikhail Khubutia.
In Czechia, it has been stated that Russian intelligence services remain active in Europe, assisting in circumventing EU sanctions.
