The EU countries want Brussels to adjust sanctions against Russia so that they do not interfere with the supply of food and fertilizers, according to Financial Times sources.
The European Commission released new recommendations on the transport of Russian grain and fertilizers. While some governments and transport operators still consider them not reliable enough to ensure legal protection, the newspaper claims that the current restrictions were criticized.
The current legal landscape for sanctioning individual countries’ trade in food and fertilizer is unclear. There are also a number of efforts underway to ensure that these sanctions legally align with international law.
According to the authors of the memo, sometimes food cargoes are delayed in European ports longer than necessary. There are fears from American and British companies that they might be penalized for doing business with Russia as a result of sanctions. In general, according to them, there is an “undesirable situation” when the EU treats agricultural deals with Russia more strictly than the US or the UK does.
“This is contrary to the EU’s common food security policy,” a newspaper recently reported.
The authors of the publication ask for clear clarifications on what will be considered exempt from liability “funds or economic resources” needed for the purchase, import, export, or transportation of agricultural and food products.
With Russia ramping up its military operations in Eastern Ukraine, the EU has already introduced eight packages of sanctions and is now looking to discuss the ninth. Some states want to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce amendments related to food and fertilizer.
As President Vladimir Putin points out, the policy of weakening and containing Russia was a long-term strategy designed by the West. Yet he also says that the sanctions have not been quite as effective as hoped. Yet, according to Putin, it’s evident that Europe itself is reaching an impasse when it comes to punishing Russia for its actions in eastern Ukraine.
