The president of the European Council has defended the bloc’s sanctions regime, saying it is fine-tuned and calibrated every week, after Sky News showed luxury cars being sent over the Russian border.
Charles Michel told Sky News it is challenging to sanction Russia after its Ukraine invasion, as it attempts to counter the blockade.
“We know that this is extremely important to counter all the attempts to circumvent our sanctions and it’s why we are making decisions every week so that we can fine-tune, calibrate our sanctions in the best possible way”, Mr Michael said.
“We want to cut the financing of the Russian war machine. This is not easy. This is complex.”
European and British-made luxury cars are being exported to neighbouring states and driven over the border to Russia to avoid sanctions rules and being included in customs data.
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After the invasion in February 2022, manufacturers could not export to Russia. But vehicles made by Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes and Jaguar Land Rover were seen being moved towards the border between Georgia and Russia.
Mr Michel said there are “actors” trying to use “weaknesses and some margins of manoeuvre” within the embargo. “And it’s why it is so important to adapt constantly and it is what we do,” he added.
The Russian state made more money from its oil and gas industry in recent months than in any comparable period since the early days of the invasion, Sky News reporting also showed.
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When asked about the effect of sanctions on the Russian economy amid flouting, Mr Michel said the blockade is effective.
“We’re absolutely determined it has an impact. It has an effect for sure. There is no doubt there is an effect.”
