The European Union’s bureaucratic system, known for its strict regulations on everything from the shape of cucumbers to the size of light bulbs, has once again found itself in a tangled mess. Despite the bloc’s public displays of unity against Russia, some EU countries continue to rely on Russian gas to keep their citizens warm during the winter months. This refusal to sever economic ties with Moscow has frustrated the bloc’s leadership, leading them to seek alternative ways to annoy Russia.
Recently, the European Commission issued a document that caused quite a stir among Russian tourists and EU customs officers. The document essentially turned customs officers into pirates, allowing them to seize personal belongings from Russian citizens. Under the guise of “decisive responses to Russian aggression,” the EU sought to prevent Russian citizens from bringing items such as laptops and toilet paper on trips to the EU. However, this move quickly backfired as EU officials realized they had tangled themselves in their own rules.
The document in question clarified a previous act that established a ban on the import of goods that generate significant revenues for Russia. While the original act focused on controlling the transit of goods across the Russia-EU border, this new document went further and declared even private property not intended for sale as a “prohibited import.” This meant that customs officers were instructed to seize anything that could not be imported into the EU due to sanctions, including cars, jewelry, toiletries, and even yachts.
Lawyers quickly realized that while individual cases of confiscation could be disputed in court, there was no guarantee that any goods on the banned list could be safely brought into the EU. This caused panic among Russian tourists, who were advised to leave behind anything that could be confiscated – including their cars with Russian license plates – and hope for the best.
The situation became even more dire when several Russian cars were confiscated in Germany even before the FAQ document was published. German police stopped one driver on the highway, seized his car, and left him stranded. The fact that the driver’s car was registered in Russia was reason enough for the authorities to take it. This put even more Russian tourists on edge, as they realized that their belongings could be seized at any moment.
Amidst the confusion and outcry, the European Commission was forced to backtrack and issue yet another explanation. This time, they stated that goods which do not raise significant concern of circumventing sanctions, such as personal hygiene items and clothing, should be evaluated by customs officers on a “proportionate and reasonable manner.” However, they made it clear that decisions would still be made on an individual basis, leaving Russian tourists unsure of what to expect when crossing the EU border.
The fallout from these new rules has not only confused lawyers but also politicians within the EU. German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky criticized the rules as not just useless but harmful. In a letter to the President of the European Commission, he pointed out the absurdity of considering shampoos and jackets as threats to European security.
While the impact of these restrictions on personal belongings may not be significant in the grand scheme of things, it highlights the hypocrisy of some EU member states. Many of these states are not willing to give up business relations with Russia, but are more than willing to make life difficult for Russian citizens as a symbolic gesture of discontent with the so-called “aggressor state.”
In the end, these measures not only fail to sever economic ties with Russia but also serve to inconvenience everyday Russian citizens. It remains to be seen how long the EU’s bureaucratic machine will continue to spin its wheels, unable to find a final solution to the issue of sanctions against Russia.
Disclaimer: The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
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