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Is Morocco Helping Spain Violate Europe’s Sanctions against Russia?

Perfume of Russian diesel in relations between Morocco and Spain. The Spanish government is investigating alleged fraudulent imports of Russian diesel via Morocco. Transactions that the Cherifian kingdom has not yet concealed.

Since February 5, the European Union, in conjunction with the G7 countries and Australia, has launched the second part of the sanction plan against Moscow. Thus, the import of refined Russian petroleum products, mainly diesel but also kerosene, heating oil or fuel oil, is prohibited. Through this approach, Europe aims to weaken the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

Russian diesel resold on the international market

Only, to escape this embargo, Russia sends its petroleum products to countries like Morocco. It is said that this diesel is then redirected to Europe. Information confirmed, mid-March, by Mohamed Chaouki. The RNI MP, also chairman of the Finance Committee in the First Chamber, had declared that it is a foreign company that imports Russian diesel. Not without specifying that the company has been operating in Morocco for decades.

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In detail, the elected official had indicated that it is an Anglo-Dutch company which buys this diesel, on behalf of its Moroccan subsidiary. This fuel is then resold to foreign operators on the international market, said the elected official. In other words, imported Russian diesel is not intended for local consumption in Morocco. This did not prevent several questions.

Shed light on Morocco’s import of Russian diesel

Moreover, at the beginning of April, the establishment of a parliamentary commission of inquiry had been raised in Morocco. It was a question for the parliamentary groups of the MP and the PPS and the PJD to collect 1/3 of the signatures of the 395 deputies sitting in the House of Representatives, to have the green light. The objective was to shed light on Morocco’s import of Russian diesel.

A question that does not worry only in Morocco. In Spain, the Minister for Ecological Transition assured on Friday that the Spanish government was investigating these fraudulent imports of Russian diesel via Morocco. Teresa Ribera specified that if the information is verified, these imports would be contrary to the European sanctions imposed on Russia.

Russian diesel still on the European market

It is since the end of 2022 that Morocco has started to import large quantities of Russian diesel. It is reported more than 7 million liters per day. And almost all of this diesel would be exported to Spain. This could be a violation of the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Moreover, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO of Repsol, deplores that “despite the sanctions, Russian diesel is still on the market. It is still in the European market and it is still in the Spanish market”. Grateful to several destinations, including Turkey, North Africa, Mr. Imaz insists that “this diesel is coming to the EU”.

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