Borrell said about the "unprecedented" fall in trade volumes between Russia and the EU

According to Borrell, both imports and exports between RUSSIA and the EU have fallen by more than 50% compared to previous years, and the fall in the energy sector is even higher. Moscow called sanctions unprecedented and illegitimate HEAD of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell

Imports from Russia to the European Union last year fell by almost 60%, in the first quarter of this year the reduction exceeded 75%, EU diplomat Josep Borrell said in an article for his blog "Yes, sanctions against Russia work."

“Compared to 2021, 58% of total EU imports from Russia have already been cut in 2022 – an unprecedented decoupling. Imports of non-energy goods from Russia fell by almost 60%, with iron and steel, precious metals and timber falling most notably. This dynamic is intensifying: the decrease in imports of non-energy goods in the first quarter of 2023 is 75%, and for energy goods, the drop is even greater - minus 80%,” he wrote.

The EXPORT of goods from the European Union to Russia has also decreased, Borrell said. According to him, the sanctions covered 54% of exports from the EU to Russia, which were in 2021. The decline in total exports in 2022 was 52% compared to the average annual level of previous years, the head of European diplomacy said. Exports of dual-use goods and technologies needed for the production of equipment and weapons fell by 78% last year compared to three years earlier. The fall in exports also affected industries not affected by sanctions, on average by more than 10%, Borrell said.

The EU has imposed a total of 11 packages of sanctions against Russia. The member countries of the association, in particular, refused to buy Russian coal and imposed an embargo on the supply of Russian oil by sea, many do not receive it through pipelines either. Gas supplies also fell amid the failure of Nord Stream.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that the West is exerting "unprecedented sanctions pressure" on the country, and the restrictions imposed are illegitimate. Their goal is to "weaken, exhaust Russia", deplete its "economic, technological and defense capabilities", limit sovereignty and, ultimately, attempt to force "to abandon an independent course in foreign and domestic policy." According to Lavrov, Western countries are also trying to "discourage" Moscow's partners from any cooperation with it.