"Over 500 Billion Sold"... EU Member States Revealed to Have Long-Term Arms Exports to Russia

UK Grants 'Golden Visa' to Seven Sanctioned Russians

Photo source: Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] It has been revealed that European Union (EU) member states circumvented sanctions restricting arms exports to Russia and sold weapons over a long period.

Some of the European-made weapons that ended up in Russia are also believed to have been used in the recent invasion of Ukraine.

The British daily The Times cited a report from the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC), a group of European investigative journalists, on the 23rd, stating that 10 EU member countries exported military equipment worth a total of ?346 million (approximately 555.3 billion KRW) between 2015 and 2020.

After Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, the EU banned arms exports to Russia.

However, 10 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland, Slovakia, and Spain exploited a loophole in the 'exception clause' that allowed exports only for contracts already signed before the announcement of the measure or their ancillary contracts.

France recorded the highest amount, exporting ?150 million (approximately 240 billion KRW), including explosives, thermal cameras for tanks, and infrared detectors for fighter jets.

The Times also noted that Emmanuel Macron, who is seeking re-election, has recently emphasized the need for dialogue with President Vladimir Putin ahead of the presidential runoff vote.

Germany followed with ?120 million (190 billion KRW), exporting rifles and 'special protection vehicles.'

Italy sold ?22 million (35 billion KRW) worth of arms, and notably, armored vehicles exported from Italy were captured on Italian news broadcasts last month being used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Other countries included Austria (?19 million), Bulgaria (?17 million), and the Czech Republic (?14 million).

Separately, The Guardian reported on the same day that the UK granted 'golden visas' to seven Russians who became subject to EU sanctions after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

According to The Guardian, the UK government acknowledged in response to opposition party inquiries that "10 sanctioned Russians currently hold this visa, and among them, seven first obtained or renewed the visa after 2014."