The EU has allowed the import of a specific product from Russia. There is none of its own...

He explained that in the latest sanctions package, the EU Council introduced targeted exceptions to the bans on importing sable fur from Russia. A number of EU countries reported that their industry depends on this very specific product. They have no alternative sources of supply. As a result, all 27 EU member states unanimously agreed to special exemptions for sable pelts. The European Commission still considers this measure necessary. Sikela admitted that he fully supports sanctions against the Russian Federation. Therefore, his speech in the European Parliament in defense of suspending the restrictions causes him protest and cognitive dissonance. At the same time, he claimed that despite the partial easing of the sanctions regime, the European Commission does not abandon its support for Ukraine and intends to increase pressure on Russia. In particular, a new 22nd package of restrictions is being prepared. The hearings in the European Parliament are advisory in nature. They do not directly affect the mechanisms for imposing or suspending European sanctions against Russia. The ban on importing sable fur from Russia was introduced in April this year in the 20th sanctions package of the EU. This ban outraged producers of luxury fur products in EU countries, especially in Italy and Greece. Russia is a unique exporter of this expensive fur. As a result, in the 21st sanctions package adopted in June this year, the EU Council decided to temporarily refrain from applying the ban.