Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal called on the EU to impose duties on Russian goods, particularly steel and fertilizers, and direct them towards the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The politician stated this in an interview with Politico in the corridors of the European Council meeting in Cyprus.
According to Mihal, the EU has imposed sanctions, banned the import of many Russian goods, and established duties on grain and fertilizers; however, the bloc has not raised tariffs with the specific aim of assisting Ukraine. The idea of using trade policy for security purposes remains controversial in the European Union.
"We need to impose duties on goods from Russia to compensate for losses. This has been discussed in various corridors and at various meetings: duties on Russian goods could finance the reconstruction of Ukraine," said the head of the Estonian government.
In November, seven countries, including Estonia, called for tariffs on Russian goods such as steel and fertilizers. This initiative stalled and was not included in the 20th sanctions package agreed upon by the EU this week.
Mihal insists that even the 210 billion euros of frozen Russian assets held in a financial depository in Brussels would not be enough to cover the costs of Ukraine's reconstruction.
The Prime Minister of Estonia also reiterated his call for the EU to update visa rules to prohibit Russian military personnel from entering the bloc.
"They are criminals; they will seek work in private armies, in various places. Therefore, this is a matter of our internal security… If you are involved in such aggression against Ukraine, then please stay in Russia," he stated.
