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Germany launched a diplomatic initiative in Brussels to remove fish imported from Russia from the list of products that would be banned...
In the end, the 21st package of sanctions focused on... fishing rods. Should everyone, especially the Germans, give up frozen fillets, or pay more, just to reduce Vladimir Putin's income? Never.
So, without much fanfare, Germany launched a diplomatic initiative in Brussels to remove fish imported from Russia from the list of products to be banned. In the meantime, it became clear that Germans are the biggest consumers of Alaska pollock, a species caught in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, between Russia and Japan. Every year they import about 93,000 tons. Germany also has the world's largest frozen food industry, which produces not only fish fingers so soft that they can be cut with a grissini, but also a wide range of breaded baked goods, which are often the quickest solution for a children's dinner.
The Thünen Institute published the relevant data, and looking at them, the question arises: how is it possible that the share of Alaska cod imported from Russia increased from 15% in 2020 to 45% in 2024, when the war in Ukraine had long since begun?
The institute warned of serious consequences. If the contracts were terminated and the plan proposed by Ursula von der Leyen, which envisaged stabilizing imports at the average level of the last three years and then reducing them to 75% by 2028, were implemented, the German frozen food industry would be seriously endangered. The remaining factories could even be relocated to China.
For this reason, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul engaged in diplomatic negotiations. He announced that Germany, in principle, was ready to accept the restrictions. Then, according to him, Portugal and France also expressed interest in protecting imports of frozen fish and, in the end, a joint decision was made to exempt this product from the sanctions. The mission was accomplished.
It used to be easier to look good in Brussels, when it was Viktor Orbán who was accused of doing favors for Putin and when the blame was always placed on the "usual suspects."
But, if this logic is followed, why shouldn't the Greek owners of the naval fleets that transport Russian oil also defend their interests to the end? Or the banks? Or the manufacturers of luxury goods?
It is said that the war in Ukraine is an existential issue for Europe. Maybe. Provided that the fishing rods are not touched. Or replace them with any other product that matches everyone's interests./ Adapted from "Pamphlet" by "Corriere della Sera"
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