The European Union has removed processed Russian sable pelts from its sanctions list, reversing a ban imposed in April, as part of the 21st sanctions package, Euractiv reported.
The European Commission said the decision was based on Russia's dominance of the global sable fur market, leaving European manufacturers with virtually no alternative suppliers. "It is very difficult to get them anywhere else," a senior EU official told the outlet.
Italy and Greece, the two largest buyers of Russian sable pelts in the EU, pushed for the exemption, a European diplomat told Euractiv. Both countries voted against lifting the ban on finished fur products, which has been in place since 2022 under luxury goods sanctions, but secured the removal of restrictions on raw materials.
Sable fur is among the most expensive in the world, with coats costing tens or hundreds of thousands of euros. According to Soyuzpushnina, Russia's only international fur auction, companies from Italy and Greece remained among the largest foreign buyers of sable even after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The fur exemption was not the only easing in the 21st sanctions package. Greece also secured the ability to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries. Additionally, the EU dropped proposed restrictions on Russian fish after objections from several member states.
The 21st package of EU sanctions took effect on July 23. Its adoption was delayed due to Greece's demands for exemptions for its shipping company. According to the Financial Times, this may be the last package in its current format: European countries are considering coordinating and imposing sanctions individually or in small groups to avoid vetoes by individual states.