Russia is exploiting automated medical exemptions in EU sanctions laws to import dual-use items for its navy, Lithuania's Deputy Overseas Minister Gabija Grigaite-Daugirde instructed Bloomberg on June 12.

In keeping with Grigaite-Daugirde, Lithuanian customs authorities blocked 28,854 items in 2024 that have been allegedly destined for Russia and Belarus "beneath the guise of medical exemption."

Most of the flagged shipments contained components for motor automobiles, fridges, copiers, and microelectronics — all of which might have navy purposes.

"Now we have witnessed components for motor automobiles, fridges, copying machines, and different forms of microelectronics being exported on to Russia, claiming that these are certain for medical use," she stated.

Beneath present EU guidelines, medical exemptions are routinely granted, leaving customs authorities to analyze the shipments retroactively. Lithuania has known as for reforms permitting exporters to use for exemptions earlier than shipments are authorized.

"Leaving automated exemptions from sanctions for medical items is like closing a door however leaving a keyhole," Grigaite-Daugirde stated. "Russia undoubtedly finds a method to cross."

As Moscow shifts to a wartime economic system and seeks Western-made expertise for its arms manufacturing, its efforts to bypass sanctions have grown "determined," she added.

Lithuania, a key EU and NATO member bordering each Belarus and Russia's closely militarized Kaliningrad exclave, has taken a hardline stance on enforcement and frequently pushes for more durable sanctions inside the bloc.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder. The modern propellants and explosives that power war have largely been offshored. While Western manufacturers are churning out shell casings, they are short on the materials to fillThe Kyiv IndependentKollen Post