A video: “How EU sanctions against Russia are failing”

Report investigates Western goods entering Russia despite EU sanctions, with focus on Georgia’s border with disputed territory Abkhazia.

00:01 Investigating Western goods entering Russia despite EU sanctions

02:18 Sanctioned goods smuggled into Russia through disputed border in Georgia

04:40 German companies reduce deliveries to Russia, but increase exports to Russia’s neighbors

06:43 Georgia’s trade with Russia and Russian troops on Georgian territory pose a conflict

08:53 Sanctions prevent Russians from buying luxury cars in the West

11:01 Western sanctions fail to stop Russian exports through loopholes

13:11 Russia’s shadow fleet helps them export oil despite sanctions

15:21 Loopholes for circumventing imposed sanctions in Georgia

Detailed Summary for How EU sanctions against Russia are failing | DW Documentary by Merlin

00:01 Investigating Western goods entering Russia despite EU sanctions
– Georgia, a former Soviet republic, is oriented towards Europe but has close economic ties with Russia
– The success of Western sanctions in the Caucasus is crucial, as goods that could be used by the military may no longer be exported to Russia

02:18 Sanctioned goods smuggled into Russia through disputed border in Georgia
– Georgia’s Zugdidi city lies on the disputed border with Abkhazia, which is under Russian control
– Norwegian economist Airline Bulman confirms the various routes over which sanctioned goods enter Russia

04:40 German companies reduce deliveries to Russia, but increase exports to Russia’s neighbors
– Exports to Georgia increased by 48% in Q1 2023 compared to the previous year
– Exports to Armenia increased by 132% and to Kyrgyzstan by 773%

06:43 Georgia’s trade with Russia and Russian troops on Georgian territory pose a conflict
– Trade with sanctioned products goes unpunished
– Russian Kamas trucks bought with taxpayer funds indirectly finance war in Ukraine

08:53 Sanctions prevent Russians from buying luxury cars in the West
– Ban also aims to prevent certain vehicles from being used to transport officers to the front
– Russians use middlemen and alternative routes to get luxury cars into Russia

11:01 Western sanctions fail to stop Russian exports through loopholes
– Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union allows legal export to Russia
– Raw materials from Russia are traded through Georgian port despite Western sanctions

13:11 Russia’s shadow fleet helps them export oil despite sanctions
– Russia re-flags tankers to export oil
– Trucks waiting at the border for days seem suspicious

15:21 Loopholes for circumventing imposed sanctions in Georgia
– Many people profit from increased trade volume despite sanctions
– EU approves further sanctions package restricting certain exports to third countries

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