In Lithuania, thousands of attempts were registered by European entrepreneurs to circumvent the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus. writes about it Delphi With reference to Lithuanian traditions.
According to the publication, since July of this year, Lithuanian customs stopped more than 10 thousand cargoes sent from or to Russia, as well as 3.1 thousand cargoes, of which Belarus was the sender or receiver.
“They are trying to smuggle prohibited goods, including metals and others,” said Darius Zvironas, Director General of the Lithuanian Customs Department.
The article draws attention to the fact that the flow of goods from Russia-friendly Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan has increased significantly as the European Union imposes sanctions on Russia and Belarus. The article says that during the ten months of 2022 goods were imported from Lithuania to these countries more than doubled last year.
While Lithuanian customs suspects that some of these cargoes are actually destined for the Russian Federation, another country is mentioned in the documents. The same thing happens with the delivery of goods to Russia.
“Actually, it’s clear that the business plan is illogical. And this product is really being transported from a closer place: from Russia or Belarus,” said Zhvironas.
According to him, many companies from Western countries, Germany and Italy are trying to export and import goods from Russia.
At the same time, Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste emphasized that it is not easy to prove that the goods go to Russia via Kazakhstan.
The article also states that Lithuanian Customs has started tightening cargo controls and will stop more trucks.
Deputy Foreign Minister Jovita Neljupsienė said Lithuania would ask other countries to control cargo more tightly and impose the same sanctions on Belarus that it imposes on Russia.
at the end of September reportedThat Finnish Customs is investigating more than 100 cases involving the supply of goods sanctioned to Russia.