Despite Western sanctions for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is likely still receiving British luxury cars. For this purpose, Russia uses neighboring countries. This was reported by Sky News and UNN .
Details
The publication emphasizes that recently there have been unprecedentedly high levels of luxury car exports to Russia's neighboring countries. In particular, to Azerbaijan. For example, in February, 26 million pounds worth of cars were exported from Britain to Baku.
Statistics show that this small country has surpassed long-established export markets such as Ireland, Portugal, and Qatar in exports . Also, according to statistics, Azerbaijan's sharp "ascent" almost coincides with the month when sanctions were imposed on car exports to Russia.
Британію звинуватили у допомозі росії у "платі за війну з Україною": про що йдеться 24.04.24, 13:37
As Sky News reminded us, British cars are prohibited from being shipped to Russia as "dual-use" goods, as they can be used for weapons development. In addition, in accordance with certain restrictions on luxury goods, any car worth more than 42,000 pounds sterling is prohibited from being imported into Russia
However, despite the fact that British car exports to Russia have fallen to zero, they have increased dramatically to Russia's neighbors, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and, above all, Azerbaijan
While it is currently impossible to prove where these shipments end up, there is ample evidence that these countries are being used as conduits to smuggle banned goods into Russia.
The publication adds that, according to the UK tax authorities, in three months the average cost of cars sent to Azerbaijan exceeded £115,000. This makes this small, relatively poor economic market one of the most expensive luxury car markets in the world - along with Switzerland, Luxembourg and Saudi Arabia.
The total value of British car exports to Azerbaijan in the two years since the invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions now stands at £523 million.
Addendum
Meanwhile, the UK denies that its cars could end up in Russia. In particular, the British automotive lobbying group Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is convinced that the 800% increase in car exports to Azerbaijan can be explained by internal factors in the Azerbaijani economy and is not related to Russian sanctions.
British automakers are committed to all trade sanctions and condemn any party that jeopardizes this commitment. Exports of cars from UK plants to Azerbaijan have increased since 2019 due to many factors, including significant new model launches, pent-up demand and a growing domestic appetite for British luxury cars
The publication concludes that cars are not the only British goods whose exports to Central Asia and the Caucasus have also increased. It is noted that during his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Foreign Secretary Cameron admitted that Russia is using Central Asian countries to circumvent sanctions and build its "war machine.
ЄС затвердив кримінальне покарання за порушення чи обхід санкцій12.04.24, 16:49
Recall
The EU is considering imposing sanctions on more than 10 companies from Russia, Turkey, the UAE, China, and Hong Kong for importing millions of euros worth of banned European goods for use by the Russian military-defense complex.