Russia’s fish industry, many claim, was not sanctioned swiftly or severely enough, particularly at the start of the conflict.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the West reacted quickly and decisively, with the US and the EU deciding unanimously to back Ukraine and impose economic penalties on Russia.
The conflict is still going on two years later, but Russia’s economy is still strong.
“Sanctions are effective. Furthermore, it is difficult to find a substitute that would be more efficient. However, Agiya Zagrebelska, a department manager at the Ukrainian National Agency for Corruption Prevention, told Al Jazeera that they are not operating to their full potential.
While some significant sectors of the Russian economy were quickly sanctioned, others were not.
The European Union and Washington only somewhat restricted Russia’s fishing sector; the country still imports $1 billion worth of seafood from its belligerent neighbor.
Zagrebelska questioned, “Are the lives of a few hundred Ukrainians worth a crab or salmon?”
The EU has imposed 13 sanctions packages on Russia since the invasion began in February 2022. The sanctions target Russian banks, media outlets, political parties, paramilitary organizations, President Vladimir Putin, and those close to him.
However, the majority of Russian food products were barred by European sanctions.
The majority of Russia’s billion-dollar seafood industry, including Alaskan pollock and cod, continued to flood US and EU fish markets and eateries.
In March 2022, the US imposed restrictions on Russian seafood. In addition, the government took further action late last year when it issued an executive order outlawing any seafood of Russian provenance that had been significantly altered or combined into another product in a third nation.