Belgium continues to import Russian metal — Kyiv Independent
Despite more than four years of European Union sanctions against the Russian steel industry, Belgium remains one of the largest importers of Russian steel products.
This is facilitated by an exemption in the sanctions regime that allows the supply of semi-finished steel products, known as slabs, from Russia to European enterprises of the NLMK Group, owned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Lisin.
After the start of the full-scale invasion, most types of Russian metal products fell under EU sanctions, but semi-finished products were exempted from the restrictions.
It was not until December 2023 that the European Union agreed to a phased phase-out of Russian slab imports, but this ban will not take full effect until September 30, 2028.
Currently, Russia accounts for 58% of all slab shipments to the EU from third countries, and about a third of this volume goes to Belgium.
According to the European association Eurometal, Russian semi-finished products are sold at extremely low prices, which creates a competitive advantage for certain European manufacturers.
The publication draws particular attention to NLMK owner Vladimir Lisin: the oligarch, whose fortune Bloomberg estimates at $23.5 billion, is subject to sanctions by Ukraine, Canada, and Australia. However, the European Union has not yet imposed sanctions against him.
During discussions of sanctions packages, Lisin’s name repeatedly appeared among potential candidates for restrictions, but was excluded from the final lists each time.
Belgium has officially confirmed that it opposed his inclusion on the sanctions list, citing risks to jobs and industrial enterprises in the country.
Although, in reality, this is about preserving a source of income for one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs during the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko told the publication that the acquisition of industrial assets in the EU could have served as a kind of “insurance” for Lisin against falling under European sanctions.
Criticism of the current approach is also being voiced in the European Parliament: some MEPs emphasize that the EU continues to import significant volumes of Russian steel despite its stated policy of economic pressure on the Kremlin.
Despite statements by Belgian authorities regarding their readiness to adhere to the schedule for a complete phase-out of Russian slabs by 2028, the debate surrounding NLMK’s operations and the absence of sanctions against Lisin continues.
This is reported by the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. Congress Approves New Aid for Ukraine and Sanctions Against Russia Despite Disagreements
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published an open letter to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The document formally proposes ending the war through direct bilateral talks between the leaders and implementing a complete ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is allegedly ready for negotiations to end the war against Ukraine, but sees no willingness for dialogue on the Ukrainian side.
Putin is not changing course and continues to finance the war.
