Ukraine is urging the European Union to urgently strengthen measures against the circumvention of sanctions through third countries. As reported by RBC-Ukraine, Presidential Sanctions Commissioner Vladyslav Vlasyuk highlighted that existing control mechanisms remain insufficient to block the flow of dual-use goods into Russia.
While the 20th EU sanctions package successfully curtailed some re-export operations in Kyrgyzstan, the broader issue remains critical. Vlasyuk points to Hong Kong as a major hub, where at least €47 million worth of sanctioned goods—including signal generators, oscilloscopes, and electronic components—were shipped to Russia between early 2024 and early 2025. These components are essential for Russia’s military communications, electronic warfare systems, and navigation equipment.
Even more concerning is the dramatic spike in European CNC machine tool exports to Central Asia and the Caucasus. Since the full-scale invasion, exports of these industrial machines from the EU to Uzbekistan surged by over 700%, while exports to Kazakhstan grew by nearly 480%. Much of this equipment eventually reaches Russian factories, enabling them to maintain production levels despite severe Western restrictions.
“The systemic nature of using third countries to bypass sanctions is undeniable,” Vlasyuk stated. He advocates for a more aggressive application of the ‘anti-circumvention tool’—not only to track individual goods but to hold specific jurisdictions accountable for their role in the supply chain.
As Russia continues to rely on these ‘grey’ supply chains, the geopolitical pressure on the EU to harmonize its export controls grows. Ukraine argues that closing these loopholes is essential to preventing the Russian military from replenishing its technological edge on the battlefield. Without rigorous scrutiny of transit routes and financial transactions involving these third nations, the effectiveness of the entire international sanctions regime remains under threat. Kyiv insists that the time for superficial measures has passed, and only comprehensive institutional oversight can curb Russia’s ability to sustain its war machine via Western technologies.