The Baltic states and Czechia have proposed that the EU ban imports of ferrous metals, copper, and aluminum waste and scrap from Russia. Moscow uses the proceeds from these imports to finance its war against Ukraine, according to LRT.
The proposal was submitted to the European Union (EU) Environment Council in Brussels on Monday, March 26.
"Lithuania proposes that the European Commission evaluate all options at the EU level and submit a proposal to stop imports of waste from Russia to the EU or allow member states to take unilateral restrictive measures. We believe that such imports contribute to the financing of Russia's war against Ukraine and should be stopped," says Jurga Kasputienė, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of the Environment, in the period from 2022 to 2023, the EU will import ferrous metals, copper, and aluminum waste and scrap from Russia worth more than €118 million. Most of these imports go through Lithuania.
According to the agency, cross-border shipments of waste are regulated by the Basel Convention and the Waste Transport Regulation, so individual member states cannot unilaterally ban or restrict such imports.
Sanctions against Russian Federation
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries are constantly imposing new restrictions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and other harmful activities. Recently, the European Union extended the sanctions imposed on Russia for the war in Ukraine.
The EU is also preparing to impose a duty on grain imports from Russia and Belarus. This will be the first restriction on food products since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The United States has agreed with Türkiye on a new system of compliance and new sanctions against Russia.
