The export of aluminum from Finland to Russia from January to September 2024 doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching 22.3 million euros.
This infrmation is reported by Yle.
By the end of September, the export of aluminum amounted to 22.3 million euros. From January to September of the previous year, this figure was 11.3 million euros. The growth is primarily due to the export of aluminum spikes for car wheels, which are not subject to sanctions.
"Aluminum is exported from Finland to Russia either by sea or through the Baltic states," customs clarified.
The growth in aluminum exports to Russia is attributed to the family company Turvanasta from Turku, which manufactures aluminum spikes. One of the co-owners of the company is Ia Adlerkreutz, the wife of the Minister of Education, Anders Adlerkreutz, who also leads the Swedish People’s Party.
Mikko Salakari, the CEO of Turvanasta, commented to Yle that the company cannot influence where customers ultimately send their orders.
"If we wanted to prevent the shipment of our products to Russia, we would not be able to accept orders from our customers," lamented the head of Turvanasta.
Earlier, Turvanasta promised that they would cease exports to Russia after the expiration of current contracts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it does not intervene in exports to Russia if the goods are not on the EU sanctions list.
However, the export of aluminum spikes raises concerns about the potential military use of the products.
