Western economic sanctions against Russia are not popular everywhere in Europe either.

Some even reject them.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, for example, says the EU has "shot itself in the lungs".

Croatian President Zoran Milanović echoed the same sentiments: "We have sanctions that don't work, it won't hurt Russia," he said, adding: "What happened hurt us."

Christian Geinitz

Business correspondent in Berlin

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Andreas Mihm

Business correspondent for Austria, Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey based in Vienna.

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Gustave parts

Business correspondent in Stuttgart.

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Catherine Wagner

Business correspondent for Russia and the CIS based in Moscow.

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It sounds similar from some East German state governments or Austria's Chamber of Commerce.

Some countries are only half-hearted.

Shipowners from Greece and Malta are making a fortune by transporting Russian oil, which the EU wants to stop exporting.

And the interim government of EU member state Bulgaria is considering bringing Gazprom back into business after its predecessors canceled orders.

So far, the consequences of the sanctions have hardly been felt in the everyday life of the Russians.

The supermarket shelves are full, and there is no shortage of technology and clothing.

It is true that Western products such as iPhones or cars have become much more expensive, and a number of manufacturers from which many Russians liked to shop, such as H&M and Ikea, have now closed or are selling their remaining stocks before they finally withdraw.


The isolation of the Russian economy, which has not yet found new sources of supply for printing ink and paper, is also reflected in details such as packaging, which suddenly no longer looks white but looks dirty brown or is hardly printed on.

But in view of the tough sanctions and the many Western companies that have turned their backs on Russia, the situation still seems surprisingly relaxed.


No direct deliveries from Europe

Countries like Turkey play a role here: It is considered one of the most important hubs for the transport of goods to Russia.

And also of goods that should no longer be sent to Russia because of the western sanctions imposed since the end of February – such as spare parts for airplanes.

Technology that can be used in space or shipping, in oil refineries or for Russian armaments is also affected by the sanctions.

European manufacturers are also no longer allowed to sell luxury goods to Russia.

Lots of other things are still allowed – washing machines or air conditioners, clothing, food.

Since Russia does not want to do without those products whose manufacturers leave the Russian market, the government officially allowed "parallel import" at the end of March - the import of original goods through distribution channels that are not approved by the manufacturer.

These imports are often processed via Turkey.

According to Cetin Tecdelioglu, head of the Istanbul Association of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters, Turkey has become a "warehouse and bridge" for Russian exports because Europe no longer supplies directly.

European companies wanted to supply Russia via Turkey.

"They want to use Turkey as a warehouse and bridge, while Russia wants deliveries from Turkey." He didn't name names, but he did mention sectors: copper, aluminum, kitchen appliances and mechanical engineering.

Bosch relationships are viewed critically

A name appeared in Turkish media.

The one from Bosch.

The German technology group sells air conditioning systems manufactured in China to Russia via Turkey.

This was confirmed by a spokeswoman for the FAZ on Tuesday. The delivery route has existed for years and has not been changed in recent months.

These are deliveries “on a small scale” that are “not affected by sanctions”.

Unlike many other companies, Bosch has not completely discontinued its business in Russia.

Boilers, for example, would continue to be delivered, said Bosch boss Stefan Hartung in April.

The foundation group does not want to stop activities that are not affected by sanctions, even if the transactions are hardly significant.