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Restarting the season. The setting is resumed.

The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the text adopted are available.

I understand that you don't have comments, about it and then the minutes are approved.

The next item on the agenda is the Commission statement lifting of EU sanctions on the import of Russian sable fur.

Now it's a turn for the European Commission. Commissioner Síkela, the floor is yours.

Good afternoon President Members of the European Parliament,

If you are familiar.

With Leon Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance,

it exactly describes how I'm feeling right now.

So thank you for the invitation to this debate on the lifting of EU sanctions on the import of Russian saber fur.

From the outset, I want to underline that Europe's support for Ukraine remains unwavering.

The EU will continue to support and strengthen Ukraine's position and keep pressure on Russia,

including through sanctions.

The range and scale of the sanctions adopted in response to Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine has been unprecedented,

with July marking the adoption of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia and a number of listings packages.

Economic sanctions have targeted the financial,

transport and energy sectors that have a significant impact on Russia's economy and its capacity to sustain the war.

Customs authorities play a central role in implementing and enforcing EU sanctions at the Union's external borders.

Enforcement is supported by the TARIC database,

which integrates all sanction related measures and is updated daily.

The system currently contains several 1000 control measures concerning Russia,

Belarus, and dual-use goods.

Enabling customs authorities to identify and prevent movement of restricted goods.

Particular attention is also given to the risk of sanctions, interventions through false or misdeclared transit operations,

whereby goods are formally declared for transit to a third country,

but are in reality, destined for Russia.

Robust customs control and the systemic use of available data are therefore essential to detect such attempts and prevent restricted goods from reaching the Russian market indirectly.

We have adopted very far reaching trade restrictions in several economic sectors.

This includes import bans on goods that generate significant revenues for Russia,

enabling its actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine.

In the latest package of sanctions,

The Council Decided to include a targeted and specific exception.

To the import ban for sable fur skins, Martes Sibelina. Under the Russian sanctions regime.

Some EU Member States claimed that their industries are dependent on these very specific items,

with no alternative supplies available.

Therefore,

all 27 member states unanimously agreed to the targeted exception on Russian sable furs Martes Sibelina from the import ban.

Let me add that the import ban continues to be in place and covers raw fur skins and other tanned or dressed fur skins.

Sanctions are a core element of the EU's common foreign and security policy.

As you are well aware, we operate in the realm of unanimity and political compromise.

The legal acts are a result of negotiations. Among Member States.

Let us not forget that the continued and sustained application of all sanctions adopted since Russia's full scale invasion are inflicting significant economic damage to Russia.

In practical terms,

The removal of Russian sable furs from the import ban should be viewed in a broader context of economic sanctions already taken against Russia.

This does not weaken the impact of the EU sanctions regime. Russia's economic capabilities have been impaired.

The Russian economy has entered a period of stagnation,

1% in 2025 and expected to stay subdued in 20.026 and 2027 as the huge military spending pushed it close to its limits in terms of financial resources and labor force.

Amid a turbulent geopolitical environment,

we know that it is important not to lose the momentum gained so far and to keep ramping up pressure on Russia.

We will not stop our work to further restrict Russia's ability to fund its illegal war and to carry out attacks on Ukraine's civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Thank you.