EU Reports Progress in Curbing Military Exports to Russia via Uzbekistan

The European Union has made progress in restricting the export of military-related goods to Uzbekistan, Serbia, and other nations, according to German media cited by RBC.

Brussels believes that such goods are being diverted to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

The EU has identified China and Hong Kong as the main problematic transit routes. According to David O’Sullivan, the EU’s Special Envoy on Sanctions, Beijing is responsible for 80% of restricted goods reaching Russia. He made this statement during a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

O’Sullivan also acknowledged that some European companies continue to profit from illicit trade with Russia, weakening the EU’s negotiating position with third countries.

Despite these challenges, EU officials stated that sanctions are having a significant effect on the Russian economy.

However, Brussels admitted that talks with the United States on coordinated efforts to prevent sanctions evasion have stalled. EU officials fear that any US-Russia cooperation could undermine the global sanctions regime.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that another Uzbek company was added to the EU’s sanctions list in May this year.