In the fight against the circumvention of sanctions against Russia, it will also be possible to restrict EU exports to third countries in the future. As the German Press Agency learned from EU circles on Friday, this is provided for by a proposal by the European Commission for an eleventh package of punitive measures because of the war against Ukraine. It was sent to the Member States on Friday.

Specifically, according to the information, it is planned to create the legal possibility of restricting exports to third countries due to an alleged circumvention of sanctions as a deterrent. If this is not enough, then in a second step certain exports could actually be stopped. In particular, goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes could be affected. Night vision devices, which are used by hunters and security companies, but also soldiers, were cited as examples.

For example, countries through which sanctions against Russia are circumvented are Kazakhstan, Armenia and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey has recently been certified by EU experts to react comparatively decisively to indications of sanctions circumvention.

For months now, many products from the EU states themselves have not been allowed to be delivered to Russia. In addition to dual-use goods such as night vision devices and drones, this also includes certain types of machines and vehicles or certain computer chips.

The proposal of the Commission, led by German leader Ursula von der Leyen, is to be discussed by the permanent representatives of the 27 EU member states in Brussels next Wednesday. The aim is to adopt the eleventh package of sanctions before the end of this month. In addition to the new instrument for export controls, it will also include punitive measures against other individuals and organizations that support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

It is considered certain that the German government is fundamentally open to the EU Commission's plans. In February, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck had already spoken out in favour of a much stricter approach against the circumvention of economic sanctions against Russia. The Green politician said at the time that there were "also clear circumventions from Germany" and emphasized that even an approving acceptance of sanctions violations could not be accepted. "Here, the interest of the people who are fighting for their freedom is betrayed," he said, referring to Ukraine and the Russian war of aggression.

A paper by the Ministry of Economy said foreign trade data indicated that EU-sanctioned goods would be exported "to a significant extent" from the EU and thus also from Germany to certain third countries and from there to Russia.