The European Union may introduce trade restrictions against countries that re-export goods with “dual-use” technologies to Russia and help it circumvent Western sanctions. This is written by the Russian financial publication The Bell with reference to the British The Telegraph.
It is noted that if sanctions are introduced, they will affect countries that supply Russia with a large number of washing machines (they contain semiconductors), used cars and cameras. In the West, they fear that these and other goods are being taken apart, and the Kremlin uses the resulting components to repair tanks, armored vehicles and drones in the war with Ukraine.
“We must send a clear message to individuals and organizations in third countries. The provision of material support to the Russian military and defense-industrial base will have serious consequences for their access to the EU market,” follows from a confidential document seen by The Telegraph.
European officials point, in particular, to the growth of exports to Russia from the countries of Central Asia. However, before imposing restrictions on any countries, the EU intends to hold diplomatic talks with them to warn of the consequences in case of violations.
Officials monitoring trade flows to Moscow have noticed a significant increase in trade in consumer goods between the European Union and the Kremlin’s traditional allies in Central Asia. There are fears that new routes, on which activity has increased by 60-80%, are being used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions.
The Telegraph emphasizes that sanctions can threaten any country from various regions.
Among the countries that are in the focus of attention of European officials, according to The Telegraph, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
At the same time, Kazakhstan has already assured the EU countries that, in order to minimize the risks associated with secondary sanctions, it will strengthen control over the re-export of goods to Russia through an online tracking system for imported and exported products. It is scheduled to launch on April 1st.
Traditionally, Central Asia is considered to be under the influence of Russia, and in some areas the countries of the region are highly dependent on it. The countries closely cooperate with Russia in key industries and conduct active trade, and migrants from Central Asia, including from Kyrgyzstan, work in the Russian Federation itself.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has had a profound effect on the countries of Central Asia. First of all, the economy of the states of the region suffered due to the unprecedented sanctions imposed by Western countries against Russia.
None of the Central Asian countries supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but did not condemn the actions of this country.
Experts believe that some countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Kazakhstan, are helping Russia bypass Western sanctions. They claim this based on data that last year these countries significantly increased their imports of certain goods from Western countries, along with this, their exports to Russia increased.
According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Kyrgyzstan has earned 36 billion soms on re-export to Russia over the past year.
Read more: Forest Brothers. How Kyrgyzstan helps Belarus bypass EU sanctions