Belgium’s trade in Russian diamonds continues despite moral pressure.
The EU has stopped importing Russian coal and buying numerous Russian goods, including gold, caviar and vodka.
And also is phasing out most Russian oil.
Yet diamonds have evaded the sanctions list again and again.
The EU has so far implemented six rounds of sanctions,but needs unanimity to agree any such ban.
Belgium has rejected in the past.
Because Antwerp is the world's biggest diamond trading hub.
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre said sanctions would take away some 30% of business.
And they said clients should be allowed to decide themselves if they wanted Russian gems.
The Prime Minister told
such a ban would be a huge loss and would hurt an industry, accounting for 5% of Belgium's exports and supporting some 30,000 jobs.
Poland and the Baltic states are pressing for diamonds to be included in the next round of sanctions.
An senior EU diplomat said
Belgium needs to find courage to share the pain of sanctions, not only support Ukraine with strong and nice statements.
I completely agree with them.
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