A representative of the European Commission spoke with RIA News to clarify the long standing stance on car imports from Russia to the European Union, noting that this policy predates the latest EC statement. The official underscored that each EU member state must independently verify adherence to the restrictive measures rather than waiting for centralized action.
Last Friday the EU Council extended its 2022 sanctions on Russia to include personal vehicles owned by Russian citizens bearing Russian plates. Under this extension, Russian residents are prohibited from driving their cars into the EU for any purpose, including short tourism trips.
Nonetheless, the Commission’s spokesman emphasized that ordinary personal belongings of Russians entering EU territory should not be blocked. Items such as clothing and basic hygiene products that are not luxury goods and do not carry high price tags fall outside the ban. This clarification aimed to quell rumors that everyday items like shampoo and toilet paper could be restricted during travel to Europe.
Daniel Sheridan Ferry, a spokesman for the European Commission, reiterated that the import ban has been in effect for a lengthy period, even before the most recent official statement. He highlighted that every EU member state bears responsibility for enforcing the sanctions and that they must ensure compliance with the bloc’s rules.
Earlier, Finland, Estonia, and several other neighboring countries reviewed the EC statement and assessed its potential impact on Russian goods imports. Estonia signaled its support for synchronized restrictions alongside Finland and the Baltic states, signaling a regional approach to enforcement.
The EU sanctions were approved by a unanimous vote of the EU Council, representing all twenty-seven EU member states. While the framework exists at the bloc level, the precise implementation and interpretation rest with individual governments, and the European Commission offers guidance on how to meet the restrictive measures. In practice, the status and handling of vehicles owned by Russian citizens entering EU zones should be decided by the competent national authorities. In problematic cases, the commission advised contact with the relevant authorities of each member country. The spokesperson also reminded that the ban on vehicle imports from Russia has already been in place for a long time and that member states are tasked with monitoring compliance.
In related developments, the United States Treasury expanded sanctions against Russia, reinforcing the broader international effort to curb economic activity linked to the Russian state.