The Russian Federation continues to look for ways to circumvent sanctions.
Russia earned a billion euros in 2023 from the purchase of fuel by the European Union. All because of a loophole that allowed Moscow fuel to enter the bloc through foreign refineries.
writes about this Рolitico.
The publication states that we are talking about the sale of approximately 35 million barrels of refined fuel.
< em>“In 2023, the EU bought an estimated 35 million barrels of refined fuel – mostly diesel – at least partly from Russia, according to an analysis by the non-governmental organization Global Witness. These purchases were allowed due to a large and now well-known loophole: despite With the EU ban on almost all imports of Russian oil, countries can still legally buy Moscow crude as long as it is first processed into fuel elsewhere,” the piece says.
Russian fuel enters the EU through India and Turkey, and as a result, a lot of money returns to the Kremlin.
The €1 billion figure, equivalent to the cost of about 60,000 Iranian-made Shahed drones that Moscow frequently uses to bomb Ukrainian cities, came to light after the EU this week agreed on a 13th round of sanctions to mark the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion. – indicated in the message.
In addition, the Russian Federation was able to earn another 1 billion euros due to a separate loophole in EU sanctions regarding Bulgaria, and EU attempts to limit Russian oil revenues have largely failed.
“This is pushing for further action as the EU begins preparing its 14th round of sanctions, due to be unveiled in the coming months. The latest revelations about Russia's titanic oil revenues – not to mention the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny – will increase this pressure,” the press notes. -service. publication.
Estonian Foreign Minister Erki Kodara emphasized that the Russian regime continues to indirectly profit from third countries selling petroleum products made from Russian crude oil to the EU.
“Brussels must offer new rule that requires foreign refineries to inform EU buyers of any Russian imports. However, until now, concerns about the sharp rise in diesel prices and the economic downturn have scared officials away from such steps,” the report added.
We previously wrote that British companies have supplied the Russians with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of military equipment and machinery since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, strengthening the Kremlin's potential to continue killing Ukrainians.
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