EU import restrictions on Russian slab and billet will come into force in October 2024 and April 2024, respectively. Recently, the European Council has received requests from some member states for exemptions from the import ban on Russian semi-finished products.

Regarding the issue, the European Steel Association (EUROFER) said that the trade situation of importing cheap steel from Russia and providing help to its military and related downstream sectors must end.

Exemptions from the current sanctions against Russia could make a historic mistake and exacerbate the unfair competitive environment in the EU's internal steel market, said Axel Eggert, director general of EUROFER.