Russia has been fighting a large -scale war in Ukraine for almost four years. The border between Finland and Russia therefore, more than a armored year, before the risk that the escalation will jump dividing lines, Inside the eagerness expansionist of . Even so, there are things that come and go, porous as this point on the planet is. Among them, mineral fertilizers, which constantly arrive from Russia to the port of Kotka through the railroad.
Fertilog, the firm that deals with mineral fertilizers in Kotka, openly affirms on its website that one of its partners’ customers is the Russian Petrochemical company Gazprom Neftekhim Salavatwhich belongs almost one hundred percent to the Russian state energy giant, reports the Finnish tabloid .
According to a teacher specialized in Russian energy economy, LAs actions at the southeast end are morally incorrect, but Finland cannot intervene. “Phosphorus and fertilizers are part of the business of food cereals and raw material flows. This is world food security“, Afirma Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen, Del Institute Alexander.
According to Tynkkynen, impose Russian fertilizers Not only would it damage the Russian economybut it would also increase cereal prices and food in the world market. This could lead to a worsening of famine in Africa.
If the West intervened in the flows of raw materials that affect world food security, would go against the Westthe teacher estimates. Then, in Africa you might think that Africans They will have to suffer when Europe stops war in Ukraine. The Russians, on the other hand, could use the question as a weapon of propaganda and affirm that it is the continuation of Western colonialism.
“We are hostages of Russia when stopping the flow of raw materials”Afirma, not Resumen, Tynkkynen.
Fertilog, which imports fertilizers and exports them from Kotka to Europe and the rest of the world, has increased its billing in millions of euros in recent years. The company’s response to the interview request of Ilta-Sanomat was that “it focuses on its commercial activities and Does not adopt a political position“. The company’s representative also said that it only manages fertilizers who are not subject to sanctions.
“We are an important taxpayer in Kotka. The fertilizers that we process are exported not only to developing countries, where they are important for world food security. We also export them to EU countries, where fertilizers are part of the preparation and safety of EU supply“Affirms the fertilog representative to the aforementioned medium.
For true political reasons, Finland You have to tolerate the fertilizer business with Russiasays the teacher. However, it means that Finland and Europe They will have to apply more sanctions against Russia. Reduce the maximum price of oil and put an end to the purchase of Russian LNG gas They are effective means to suppress the military coffers of Russia, recommends Tynkkynen.
According to the expert, Finland It should also stop importing Russian nickel. Now the nickel is imported to a totally Russian property factory in Harjavalta. Neither in Finland nor in Europe there has been enough political will to include in the list of sanctions the main owner of the factory, the oligarch Vladimir Potanin, which is part of Putin’s intimate circle.
“Finland allows Russian oligarchs to win money with nickel trade“, something that tynkkynnenn desaprueba.
On the other hand, while Europe strives to get rid of fossil energy, You need metals like nickel for green transition. Tynkkynen wonders why Finland has not nationalized the Harjavalta nickel plant, when Russia has nationalized so many western companies and participations in Russia. “We are too soft on these issues. So that we can maintain fertilizer flows for humanitarian and political reasons, all other sanctions must be applied much more strict, “he concludes.
