Ukraine requests the EU to raise customs duties on Russian products not affected by sanctions, to avoid possible blockages from some member states.

Kiev requested the European Union on Friday to increase customs duties on Russian products that are not subject to the sanctions imposed by Brussels since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andrii Sybiga, stated that this measure could help the EU to bypass possible blockages from Hungary and Slovakia, which threaten to hinder the expansion of sanctions against Russia.

Sybiga emphasized that imposing customs duties requires only a qualified majority in the EU, unlike sanctions, which require the approval of all member states.

This increase in customs duties could strengthen European sanctions without depending on the consent of all member states.