EU Sanctions on Russia Not Fully Effective, Says Ambassador
Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine Alle Dorhout spoke about the limitations of EU sanctions against Russia. He said that these sanctions are not fully effective because Moscow can exploit loopholes in the system.
The ambassador explained that sanctions are a tool used by countries to pressure others. However, he noted that they are not foolproof and can be bypassed if some countries do not participate or follow them.
Dorhout pointed out that China is one country that still supplies Russia with products for its defense industry. This creates significant loopholes in the sanctions regime.
The EU has imposed 15 packages of sanctions on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. These sanctions target key sectors like energy, finance, and technology. However, the ambassador believes that more needs to be done to strengthen these restrictions.
He emphasized the importance of targeting the military-industrial complex as a priority sector for restrictive measures. This would require breaking Russia’s alliances with countries like North Korea and Iran, or its economic ties with China.
The diplomat noted that it is challenging for the EU and its allies to achieve this goal. However, he expressed hope that further sanctions packages will be adopted in the future.
Overall, Dorhout’s comments highlight the complexities of imposing effective sanctions on Russia and the need for continued efforts to strengthen these restrictions.