Russia renews truck ban targeting EU, Norway, UK, Ukraine
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The Russian government has announced the renewal of the ban in response to an earlier EU ban on Russian transport vehicles.
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A Russian soldier speaks to a truck driver outside the Russian infantry base in Perevalne, Crimea, Russia, March 12, 2014. (AP)
Russia has extended a ban on trucks entering its territories from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Ukraine, on Monday.
"The ban will remain in effect until the circumstances that served as the basis for its introduction are eliminated," the government explained on Telegram.
Exceptions will be made for the transportation of postal items, diplomatic mail, and humanitarian aid.
The ban was first introduced in 2022, in response to the EU's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian license plates from entering its territories.
Read more: US firms still eye Russian market despite sanctions, pressure: Antonov
On the other hand, the European Commission introduced an update on the list of Russian products banned from import into the EU, on September 8. The update allowed customs authorities to seize cars registered in Russia, as the list includes the sale of Russian-registered cars within EU territories.
The new measures will affect Russian individuals who wish to travel to the EU with their personal vehicles, including for short stays. The European Commission noted that each member state would decide how to implement this decision.
Additionally, the update indicated that the list of products Russians cannot bring with them into the European Union also includes laptops, smartphones, cosmetics, and personal clothing.
Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, slammed the decision as "blatantly racist" and stated that these measures are not related to sanction policies but rather aimed at generating additional benefits for the EU's economy.
The EU's sanctions, which have included key Russian industries, have been unsuccessful at hurdling Russia's economy, as the country's government and private sector adapted to bypass these sanctions.
Finding alternative markets, appropriating Western assets, and growing domestic sectors have been some of the methods resorted to by the Russian government, as well as launching counter-sanctions against the collective West, such as the truck ban.
Read more: Russia to prevail in Ukraine war if EU doesn't shift strategy: Borrell
