A Kyiv-based think tank and Ukraine's Economic Security Council urged the EU to
target imports of critical minerals that sustain Russia's weapons production.
Their report says Russia imported more than $1.1bn of strategic minerals for
military-related uses over one year, including alumina, tantalum and molybdenum,
and identifies other required inputs such as beryllium, tungsten, manganese,
niobium, rhenium and titanium. Many of these commodities flowed into the supply
chains of dozens of Russian firms that produce missiles, aircraft, armored
vehicles, munitions, electronics and engines. The EU has not imposed export
restrictions; proposed measures require unanimity among 27 member states and
face pressure from some governments seeking exemptions or weaker language,
complicating adoption.
