Baltic States Agree on Unified EU Sanctions Against Russia

Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia signed a joint declaration on Wednesday, December 20, regarding the unified regional implementation of European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The aim is to reduce the possibilities of these countries evading the imposed EU restrictions. The relevant announcement was posted on the Lithuanian government portal.

The declaration emphasizes that eliminating loopholes and ensuring the effective application of EU sanctions are crucial to enhance their efficacy and undermine Russia's ability to continue aggressive warfare against Ukraine. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia also note that, considering the unique geographical position of the Baltic countries, an immediate transition to a regional approach in implementing sanctions is necessary, while supporting the overall European sanctions against Russia.

The Baltic trio committed to ensuring a unified customs control and information exchange, with respective authorities of these countries expected to begin implementing the regional approach no later than January 31, 2024.

According to the declaration, customs services of the three countries agree to employ joint investigative methods after identifying unjustified routes of goods transportation to Russia. They will demand additional documentation for transit or final use of goods, along with extra declarations from manufacturers and exporters, to mitigate the risk of sanctions evasion.

The parties also agreed to encourage other countries bordering Russia to adopt a unified regional approach to EU sanctions.

Previously, The Gaze reported that the European Union Council approved the 12th package of sanctions against Russia in response to its military aggression against Ukraine. A key element of the new package is a ban on the direct or indirect import and transfer of diamonds from Russia. This ban, coordinated at the "Group of Seven" level, will take effect on January 1, 2024. Restrictions on Russian diamonds processed in third countries will apply from March 1 to September 1, 2024.

Among other restrictions in the new sanctions package, EU exporters will be prohibited from contractually re-exporting secret goods and technologies to Russia when entering into agreements with third countries. The list of goods prohibited for export and re-export to Russia includes chemicals, lithium batteries, thermostats, direct current motors, servomechanisms for drones, lathes, machine parts, and mechanisms.