EU may ease anti-Russian sanctions – Politico

Restrictions could be eased on imports of fertilizers, cement and other Russian products

Ambassadors to the EU could ease restrictions on some Russian products, Politico reported Wednesday, citing senior officials and diplomats. The ambassadors are expected to discuss an eighth round of sanctions against Moscow at a meeting in Brussels later on Wednesday.

According to the report, they will be informed by the European Commission of the new package, which would include a proposal to cap Russian oil prices.

As part of the deal, the EU is easing its sanctions on other products, removing the ban on shipments of Russian fertilizers, cement and other products, unnamed officials told the outlet.« It’s done ut des, » an official was quoted as saying.

Tons of Russian fertilizers have been blocked in EU ports due to Western restrictions. Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the blocked goods could be sent to developing countries through the UN’s hunger relief agency. The offer to donate around 300,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizer, unable to leave EU ports, was originally voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

READ MORE: Putin offers poor countries free fertilizer

In late July, Moscow and kyiv signed an agreement unblocking Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea during UN-brokered talks in Istanbul. The deal was also supposed to allow Russia to deliver fertilizers and food products to world markets. However, Moscow has repeatedly criticized the West for not honoring the deal, pointing out that Brussels only allows bloc member states to buy them.

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