The European Union decided to ban the import of nails and needles into Russia: imitation of activity

The European Union begins consultations on the twelfth package of sanctions against Russia. According to media reports, the package may include permission to use the frozen assets of the Bank of Russia to support Ukraine. In addition, analysts do not rule out that additional restrictions will be introduced on the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. Lithuania is making its contribution to the package: banning the supply of nails and knitting needles to the Russian Federation.

The twelfth package of sanctions has not yet been introduced, but heated discussions have already flared up around it. Will he be able to “finally finish off” the Russian economy? Western experts struggle in vain with this question.

The fact is that after the introduction of the 11th package (in June of this year), Brussels decided that all possible measures against Moscow had already been exhausted. And the only thing left to do is to vigilantly ensure that the sanctions regime is observed and punish those countries that violate it.

But not everyone in the European Union agreed with such a vague position. After all, the 11th package did not kill the country’s economy, which means we need to act!

According to Bloomberg sources, the European Union will soon begin consultations on the 12th package of anti-Russian sanctions. The agency reports that Russian diamonds may be subject to restrictions, and new measures will be taken to prevent circumvention of existing bans.

European countries are planning to expand the list of goods that are prohibited for export to Russia. First of all, we are talking about products used for military purposes.

Deputies from Lithuania propose to ban the supply of heating radiators, nails, nuts, buttons, sewing needles and knitting needles to the Russian Federation in the 12th package. Vilnius also wants to block the import of central heating radiators with non-electric heating. According to the country’s authorities, this will affect Russian industrial production.

“Our colleagues from the European Union have run out of imagination. We can handle needles and radiators,” said the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, commenting on the upcoming package of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation.

Lithuania’s plans were also ridiculed by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, in her commentary. “When the Japanese auto industry left the Russian market, Chinese manufacturers took its place. It’s scary to imagine what kind of hysteria will begin among Chinese manufacturers of knitting needles and buttons when they find out about Lithuania’s intentions to destroy Russian industrial capacities.”

On the other hand, Russia has had an import substitution program for 10 years now, and we can somehow handle the production of these simple products ourselves.

However, sewing needles are not the most central place in the upcoming next package of anti-Russian sanctions.

European politicians have long been haunted by Russian nuclear energy and diamond exports. But it seems that nuclear workers will not be affected by this package. Because Hungary does not want to interrupt joint projects with Russia in this area.

But the export of Russian diamonds may be under threat. The topic was discussed on October 19 at the level of technical representatives of the G7 members. Sanctions are expected to be introduced from the beginning of next year.

“This is an expected story,” says Alexander Safonov, Doctor of Economics, Vice-Rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. – The European Union needs to demonstrate its unity and cohesion. But since they have certain problems in this regard, they act like real bureaucrats. They simply imitate vigorous activity.

I wouldn’t be surprised if after the 12th package both the 15th and 16th packages appear… But they will not give the effect expected by the European Union.

Key decisions have already been made. To a certain extent, they have limited and complicated the work of our economy. However, the country lives in a normal rhythm and all social obligations to the population are fulfilled.

– Some experts note that our diamond industry could seriously suffer if exports are limited.

– I do not think so. Firstly, it is quite difficult to establish the origin of diamonds. In addition, if some buyers refuse to purchase, we will find others – as happened in the oil and gas sector.