Russia circumvents Western sanctions by obtaining modern chips and integrated circuits through third countries

Bloomberg reported the information, citing a senior European diplomat.

According to Bloomberg’s source, Russian imports have largely returned to pre-war 2020 levels. An analysis of trade data suggests that modern chips and integrated circuits produced in the EU and other countries are supplied to Russia through countries such as Turkey, Kazakhstan, and the UAE. Such goods can be used for both peaceful and military purposes.

In addition, the diplomat also noted that supplies from China to Russia have also increased.

The media outlet notes that information gathered by the Geneva-based Trade Data Monitor indicates that some sanctioned goods are being diverted to Russia through third countries, many of which have drastically changed their trade habits since Russia's invasion. In some cases, exports to Russia of technologies that could be used for military purposes in Ukraine have increased from virtually zero to millions of dollars.

"Kazakhstan provides a key example. In 2022 the Central Asian nation exported $3.7 million worth of advanced semiconductors to Russia, up from a mere $12,000 worth the year before the war started...The data show Turkey, Serbia, the UAE and a half-dozen other economies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia helped make up the shortfall," Bloomberg journalists said.

•  On March 4, US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said they were ready to continue the sanctions policy against Russia.

• On March 4, the price of gas in Europe dropped below USD 500 per 1,000 m3 for the first time since August 23, 2021.