EU imports from Russia almost unchanged by sanctions
Published May 14, 2023 at 47 p.m
FOREIGN. Despite the introduction of ten different sanctions packages aimed at pressuring Russia to end the war in Ukraine, the value of imports from Russia to EU countries has only decreased by five percent over the past year, the Europaportal reports .

Instead of reducing their imports, twelve EU countries have actually increased them.

The EU is now preparing an eleventh package of sanctions against Russia to increase "economic pressure" on the country to end the war in Ukraine.

According to preliminary reports, the EU is also trying to target countries such as Kazakhstan, Armenia and Turkey, which are believed to be helping Russia circumvent existing EU sanctions.

Fresh trade statistics from Eurostat and the Swedish trade authority Kommerskollegium show that twelve EU countries have increased their imports from Russia since the war broke out, which contributes to strengthening Russia's economy.

There are several reasons why the value of imports has increased for some countries, such as difficulties in switching suppliers and price increases