Russian fishermen and Moscow’s so-called “war-pope” might still escape the next round of EU sanctions, despite the strategic and moral impacts the moves might have had.
Some four EU states still have objections to a proposed ban on Russian fish imports, while Bulgaria wanted the head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), patriarch Kirill, taken off the draft new blacklist, diplomats told EUobserver.
The measures were two prominent items in the 21st round of Russia sanctions, which were discussed by EU ambassadors in Brussels on Tuesday (23 June), with a view to adoption by 13 July.
Diplomats did not name the four fish hold-outs, citing the secrecy of the negotiations, but Germany (€284m), France (€89m), the Netherlands (€67m), and Poland (€31m) were the largest importers of Russian “fish meat, whether or not minced, fresh, chilled, or frozen” last year (the largest import category), according to European Commission data.
This was mainly cod and Alaska pollack, which is used in processed food, such as McDonalds fish-cakes.
