Lithuania Accuses Russia of Exploiting Medical Exemptions to Evade EU Sanctions
Lithuania has accused Russian importers of exploiting medical exemptions in EU sanctions to smuggle in goods that ultimately benefit Moscow’s military, calling for urgent reforms to close loopholes in the bloc’s export control regime, The Gaze reports, citing Bloomberg.
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Gabija Grigaite-Daugirde, Lithuanian customs authorities blocked nearly 29,000 items from being exported to Russia and Belarus in 2024 that were falsely labeled as destined for medical use.
“We have witnessed parts for motor vehicles, refrigerators, copying machines and other types of microelectronics being exported directly to Russia claiming that these are bound for medical use,” Grigaite-Daugirde said.
She emphasized that the current automatic application of medical exemptions places a heavy burden on customs officials and undermines the effectiveness of EU sanctions, especially as many dual-use goods — items with both civilian and military applications — continue to reach Russia through legal grey zones.
“This is like closing a door but leaving a keyhole,” Grigaite-Daugirde warned. “Russia will definitely find a way to pass through.”
Lithuania, a frontline EU and NATO member bordering both Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, has been at the forefront of EU efforts to crack down on sanctions circumvention. The Baltic state is urging Brussels to give national authorities more power to require exporters to apply in advance for any medical exemptions, rather than allowing them to operate by default.
The European Commission is currently discussing its 18th package of sanctions on Russia, which includes proposals to lower the oil price cap and target financial institutions accused of facilitating trade for Russia’s military-industrial complex. Among the measures under review are possible sanctions against Chinese banks suspected of helping Russia skirt restrictions.
Despite existing bans on high-tech exports, Western intelligence has repeatedly warned that Russian entities continue to obtain critical components — particularly microchips and electronics — via third countries or under false pretenses.
Grigaite-Daugirde said Russia’s growing dependence on Western technology has made its procurement networks increasingly aggressive and covert, describing the situation as “desperate.”
As The Gaze previously reported, the 18th package of sanctions against Russia proposed by the European Commission will include measures aimed primarily at the Russian energy and banking sectors, as well as tighter export bans and controls on sanctions circumvention.