|
|
The EU bans the export of luxury wines and spirits to Russia. This embargo, also supported by the G7 group of the seven largest industrialised nations, is part of the sanctions imposed since the Russian attack on Ukraine on 24 February. The aim is to "deny access to luxury goods and assets to oligarchs and elites who support President Putin's war", according to a statement.
What exactly counts as a luxury good, however, has yet to be determined by the EU Commission. This depends on the sanctioned countries and the trade recorded there in the past. The list is expected to be based on the 2019 regulations for North Korea. This covers 300 tariff classes from leather goods and cosmetics to pedigree horses, truffles, champagne and even crémant.
De facto, shipments of expensive appellation wines and fine spirits have already been suspended. Moreover, more and more companies are leaving Russia "because they do not want their brands to be associated with a murderous regime", EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed. In the past, however, only a few wines were delivered directly to Russia, almost six times as many entered the country mainly via the Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania.
(al / Source: vitisphere; Photo: European Commission)