Taiwan expands export sanctions against Russia and Belarus

Taiwan announced on Tuesday that it's expanding the list of goods whose export to Russia and Belarus is banned due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

This move aims to prevent these goods from being used for military purposes, Rubryka reports, citing a press release published on the website of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The updated list of sanctioned goods for Russia and Belarus has been expanded "to facilitate international cooperation and prevent the export of high-tech goods for military purposes."

Specifically, the list now includes equipment for semiconductor production, an industry in which Taiwan is a global leader, and certain chemicals and medicines.

"Recently, the EU, the US, and other international allies gathered remnants of weapons from the Ukrainian battlefield and published a 'joint priority list' of electronic and mechanical parts and equipment widely used for commercial purposes, which could be used in the production of weapons. Consequently, 45 items were added to the export list," the statement said.

Taiwan has condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and has already joined Western sanctions, although this is mostly a symbolic step since direct trade between the island and Russia is minimal.

As reported, on December 18, the European Union announced the adoption of the 12th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia to "weaken the Russian war machine."

This package includes, among other things, a ban on the supply of machinery that can be used in the production of weapons. The EU also intends to ban the import of liquid propane, iron, copper, and aluminum wire, foil, and pipes.

The key point of the package is an embargo on Russian diamonds from January 1, 2024. The EU also plans to gradually ban the import of Russian diamonds processed in third countries.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak, announced on December 15 that the leaders of the European Union countries had agreed on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia.