Russia earns tens of billions of euros in the EU despite the sanctions
Category
Economics
Publication date

Russia earns tens of billions of euros in the EU despite the sanctions

Russia was once again able to bypass EU sanctions
Source:  Politico

The European Union is actively investigating the supply of Russian oil products to the bloc to circumvent sanctions. It was Turkey that contributed the most to the new machinations of the aggressor country.

Points of attention

Russia supplies petroleum products to the EU through Turkey.
Ankara plays a key role in this scheme, helping Russia export oil products to the European Union through its ports.
Relations between Turkey and the European Union began to deteriorate.

Russia was once again able to bypass EU sanctions

As the journalists managed to find out, a large-scale investigation is being conducted by the European Union Anti-Fraud Office.

According to the latest data, during the year after the announcement of the embargo on the supply of Russian oil products on February 5, 2023, the members of the European Union purchased 5.2 million tons worth more than 3 billion euros from three Turkish ports: Ceyhan, Marmara Ereglisi and Mersin.

It is important to understand that there are no processing facilities in the specified ports.

The investigators came to the conclusion that the aggressor country of the Russian Federation still found a loophole in the EU sanctions rules, which makes it possible to import products from Russian oil in case of significant processing (blending). After that, Moscow quickly established supplies through Turkish ports.

Turkey continues to cover for Russia

Journalists draw attention to the fact that from February 2023 to the end of February 2024, Turkey imported 17.6 billion euros worth of Russian oil products.

It is important to understand that this is as much as 105% more than in the previous similar period.

At the same time, Turkish fuel exports to the EU increased by 107%. The Russian Federation earned 5.4 billion euros from the supply of oil products to Turkey, which enabled Moscow to continue its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the publication writes.

In addition, it is emphasized that the investigation is being conducted against the background of worsening relations between Brussels and Ankara due to its pro-Russian position.

It is worth noting that in 2023, Russia received another 1 billion euros through a separate loophole in EU sanctions in Bulgaria.

Category
World
Publication date

Blankets instead of weapons. Senator Graham recalled the features of US aid to Ukraine in 2014

Senator Graham
Source:  Public

In 2014, the United States limited itself to providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. However, now there is an opportunity to do what was not done then. This was stated by Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham during the Munich Conference.

Points of attention

  • Senator Lindsey Graham criticizes the lack of defense assistance provided by the US to Ukraine in 2014, highlighting the missed opportunities for strengthening the country's defense capabilities.
  • Cooperation between Ukraine and the US in rare earth metal mining could significantly enhance Ukraine's strategic position and defense capabilities.
  • The partnership agreement for rare earth metals between Ukraine and the US is a crucial step towards improving Ukraine's defense capabilities and integrating their economy.

Senator Graham recalled the features of US aid to Ukraine in 2014

What did we do wrong in 2014? We didn't give Ukraine weapons, we gave them blankets. We didn't have a policy of giving you what was necessary for your defense. We didn't say anything about the consequences of a possible invasion.

He noted that America then lost the chance to integrate its economy, as well as to negotiate minerals.

What should have been done back in 2014, we can at least do now.

It should be noted that Ukraine's victory plan, presented by its partners, included a clause regarding Ukrainian minerals. Ukraine offers its partners, in particular the United States, to invest in the extraction of rare earth metals, the deposits of which are found in Ukraine.

The United States has already developed a partnership agreement for Ukraine on rare earth metals. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant handed it over to the Ukrainian side.

Ukraine has finalized the draft agreement, which has already been handed over to US representatives. The Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference noted that the American side has asked for time until 5:00 PM to work on the draft.

According to Western media, under the agreement, Ukraine will provide the United States with rare earth metals worth $500 billion. This will be considered payment for military assistance provided to Ukraine.

Recall that Ukraine has deposits of graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium. These rare earth metals are strategically valuable.

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