Ihor Holovchenko at the Ukrainian Embassy says the use of third countries to avoid sanctions is a big problem.
Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires Ihor Holovchenko. Photo: Skjalg Böhmer Vold Published: Published:
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Saturday 24 February marks two years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As a reaction to the attack, a number of sanctions have been introduced with the aim of preventing Russia’s ability to finance the war.
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Ukraine’s chargé d’affaireschargé d’affaires, a diplomatic envoy of the lowest rank among diplomatic station chiefs, Ihor Holovchenko highlights the importance of the sanctions in undermining Russia’s military capabilities.
This weekend, E24 wrote that more than 100 shipments of Norwegian-made equipment have ended up with two Russian companies with ties to the Russian military after the invasion of Ukraine. It shows customs data that E24 has access to.
The Norwegian companies say they do not know how the products got to Russia. Some describe it as regrettable and undesirable.
Holovchenko says it is important to prevent supplies of spare parts and goods necessary for the Russian military industry.
– The less potential Russia has to continue the war, the sooner the war will end on terms that are acceptable both to Ukraine and the world, he states.
This is the case
- Since October 2022 to July 2023, 114 shipments of Norwegian-made goods have gone from Turkey to Russia.
- The goods are intended for the maritime market, and contain, among other things, navigation and communication equipment.
- In addition, there are batteries, spare parts and equipment for loudspeaker systems, for announcements on board ships.
- E24 cannot determine the time the material left Norway, or how it arrived in Turkey.
- The recipients of the goods are two Russian companies, Transas Navigator and NTI LLC. Both have been suppliers to the Russian military.
- The Russian companies write to E24 that their customers are civilians, and that they do not deliver for military use.
- The Norwegian companies say they do not know how the goods ended up in Russia. They have not had the Russian companies as customers.
- The Turkish company that sent the goods is called Konomar, and was recently listed on the US sanctions list, after sending what the US calls “high-priority goods” to Russia.
Sea view
– A big problem
The goods E24 has found were sent from the Turkish company Konomar to Russia. In December, Konomar was put on the US sanctions list for sending what the US calls “high-priority goods” to Russia.
Since October, E24 has tried several times to get an answer from Konomar both by phone and e-mail, but has not received an answer to our questions.
E24 is not aware of how the goods, which are listed as Norwegian-made, came to Turkey.
Holovchenko, who currently heads the embassy, says the use of third countries to avoid sanctions is a major problem. Especially when it comes to goods that are mainly for civilian use.
– When the goods are for military purposes, it is easier. Then there is an export control regime where the company that buys the item undertakes not to export it further to a third country.
The offices of Konomar Gemi Elektrik are located in the southeast of Istanbul. The company has sent a number of Norwegian-made goods to Russia, according to customs data E24 is sitting on. Photo: E24
He says that as far as goods for civilian purposes are concerned, a Norwegian company that sells goods to, for example, Turkey may not be aware that the goods are being forwarded to Russia.
He therefore has a message for Norwegian companies:
– If you sell something that you understand could be used militarily by Russia, regardless of which company buys it, please think twice if the goods will end up in the hands of the Russian military.
Regarding Turkey, Ihor Holovchenko emphasizes that the country does not have a national policy to avoid sanctions, and that this happens at company level. And that there are many different countries that are used as third countries – not just Turkey.
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The Russians have an advantage
Ukraine claims that on the night of Wednesday last week they sank the Russian warship “Caesar Kunikov” in the Black Sea.
Ukraine used sea-going drones to attack the ship.
CNN writes that the Ukrainian authorities believe they have destroyed a third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
Holovchenko says that although Ukraine has managed to hit the Russian war fleet in the Black Sea, Russia still has a great advantage at sea in terms of the number of vessels and their quality.
– Our Black Sea fleet was either destroyed or damaged in 2014 and in 2022. We therefore use drones instead.
He says the Russian ships remain a major threat because they are regularly used to launch missiles.
E24 has found Norwegian-made maritime equipment in Russian import data. Including navigation and communication equipment, such as sonar and speedometers. In addition, there is some equipment for loudspeaker systems, for announcements on board ships.
2024-02-20 21:30:07
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