Moscow - Kyiv, September 12 (PolitNavigator, Mikhail Stamm) - The study of trade turnover between the two countries for the first - military - half of 2014 brings amazing discoveries. Despite the almost open confrontation between Moscow and Kyiv and the fall in trade between the countries, supplies of Russian oil products and nuclear fuel to Kiev only grew, and Ukrainians made good money by selling to their neighbors products that were seemingly sanctioned in Russia, writes RBC.
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In addition to gas, the largest increase in Russian exports was provided by oil products, the supply of which in monetary terms increased compared to the first half of 2013. almost 1,5 times; in absolute terms, supplies increased by 46%. Oil supplies also brought a significant amount - $249 million: in the first half of 2013. Ukraine, according to the Federal Customs Service, did not receive a single liter, and in the 1st quarter of 2014. - about 320 tons at once.
It’s paradoxical, but while Kiev plans to reduce its dependence on Russian nuclear fuel, TVEL, a subsidiary of Rosatom, is only increasing its export turnover to the neighboring country: according to the results of the first half of the year, supplies of Russian fuel blocks (fuel rods) to Ukraine in monetary terms almost doubled to $339 million, in absolute terms – by 77%.
Positive dynamics were also recorded in the supply of nitrogen mineral fertilizers. In winter, the Ukrainian factories of Dmitry Firtash’s Ostchem company worked unstably, as a result, a shortage of mineral fertilizers arose in the domestic market of Ukraine.
Imports of certain types of products from Ukraine are also growing. Turboprop engines and gas turbines contributed the most - about $100 million - to the treasury of imports. Engines for Russia, both military and civilian purposes, are made in Ukraine only by the Motor Sich enterprise. A company representative did not answer RBC's questions.
In third place in terms of cost growth are unnamed food products. In the first half of 2014 their imports have almost quadrupled - from $20 million to $76 million. Experts find it difficult to explain the phenomenon. Under this line are various products, including chewing gum, protein concentrates, semi-finished alcohol products, sugar syrups and cheese fondue. Under the guise of such products, goods prohibited by sanctions can be imported, experts say.
Among the leaders in the growth of supplies are ferroalloys, railway locomotives, steam turbines, tugboats, soybeans and, surprisingly, milk pastes (a wide range of goods similar in composition to milk prohibited by sanctions): if in the first half of 2013. Russia received 120 tons of this product, then in 6 months of 2014. – 3 tons. Under the guise of pastes, any products close to them in composition can be transported under gray schemes, experts say.
It is also surprising that the diesel locomotives, the increase in supplies of which is recorded by the Federal Customs Service, were made for Russia by the Lugansk Diesel Locomotive Plant. Although throughout the second quarter of 2014, active hostilities have been ongoing in the Lugansk region.