The undersigned Ukrainian and international civil society organisations respectfully appeal to the United States Government to impose a complete embargo on importing Russian timber and wood products and call on the European Union to strengthen its existing sanctions. Besides, a resolution has been adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament, calling for international support and the implementation of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. It is crucial not only to align U.S. policies with those of its allies but also to prevent the provision of financial support to the Russian regime amidst its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The effectiveness of these allies’ collective efforts to support Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 has been undermined by the continued import of Russian timber to the United States. Shipment records obtained via Panjiva from 1st January to 4th December 2024 indicate timber remains one of the largest trade relations between the two countries. For example, in 2024 alone, more than 450,000 cubic meters of Russian birch plywood were imported, generating revenues of more than $2.1 billion for Russia, as calculated using standard retail price benchmarks. 

This trade directly benefits companies linked to oligarchs, many of whom support or profit from Russia’s military actions. In addition, these timber companies are among those circumventing EU sanctions. 

Loopholes in enforcing EU sanctions have allowed significant violations of its timber embargo, undermining the intended impact of these measures. Furthermore, the existing sanctions do not apply to products manufactured in third countries using Russian timber, creating possible loopholes for circumventive imports. An investigation published on 29th January 2025 shows that Russian birch plywood, with a retail value of more than €1.5 billion, has entered every EU Member State since the EU’s sanctions came into effect in July 2022, with Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Portugal and Greece being the key entry points. 

The lack of proper investigation and punishment for violations weakens the impact of sanctions and increases the risk of recurrence. Therefore, it is crucial that the EU enforce its laws and rapidly step up its efforts to stop this illicit trade.

Our Call to Action

We urge the U.S. Government to:

  • Expand Executive Order 14068 to include all Russian timber and wood products, ensuring comprehensive coverage under HS codes HS44 (timber), HS47 (pulp), HS48 (paper), HS9401 (seats), and HS9403 (furniture)
  • Collaborate with international allies to harmonise sanctions regimes.

The United States’ commitment to the values of justice, security, and democracy that it upholds globally is directly contradictory to the ongoing timber trade with Russia. Disregarding this problem weakens the impact of the sanctions, encourages Russian aggression, and postpones the restoration of peace in Ukraine.

We urge the EU and Member State authorities to:

  • Investigate and properly punish breaches of existing EU sanctions on Russian wood
  • Expand sanctions to cover products processed in a third country incorporating Russian wood
  • Close any remaining loopholes that allow Russian timber to reach the EU market.

Stand with Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and democracy.

Respectfully,

From Ukraine:

  • Greenpeace Ukraine
  • WWF-Ukraine
  • Centre for Environmental Initiatives “Ecoaction”
  • Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group
  • Danube-Carpathian Programme
  • Free Svydovets
  • Public Organization “New Yasinya”
  • Public Organization “Creative Space Kredents”
  • ANTS National Interests Advocacy Network
  • Donetsk Regional Organization of the All-Ukrainian Environmental League
  • Center for Fiscal Policy Research
  • “Energy Transition” Coalition
  • Ecoclub
  • Ecosocium
  • International Charitable Organization “Environment-People-Law” (EPL)
  • Bureau of Environmental Investigations
  • Razom We Stand
  • Plato
  • EGO “Green World”
  • ForestCom
  • Kharkiv Human Rights Group “EcoPravo-Kharkiv”
  • Ekoltava
  • Code 21
  • Institute for Successful Cities
  • Save Dnipro
  • Youth Climate Initiative “Rozviy”
  • Fridays For Future Ukraine
  • Save Pikui
  • Public Organization “Zaporizhzhia Without Waste”
  • Ecosphera
  • The Social Movement
  • Kyiv For People
  • “People’s Power” Party
  • Boyarka Community Foundation
  • Protection of Small Rivers of Ukraine
  • Druhe Zhyttia
  • Green Stripe
  • Floks
  • Mariupol Zero Waste
  • Cedars of Ukraine
  • Ukrainian Eco Stations Network
  • EcoBand Initiative Group
  • Center for Economic and Legal Analysis
  • Legal Clinic for Environmental Law of the National Forestry University of Ukraine
  • Holka
  • Ukrainian Zero Waste Alliance
  • Charitable Organization “United Family”
  • Green Bucha
  • Charitable Foundation “Peli Can Live”
  • Volunteer headquarters of Kikimory
  • Legal Analysis Educational Development Center
  • Association of Woodworking Enterprises of Ukraine
  • Ecopark Osokorky
  • FORZA, Agency for sustainable development of the Carpathian region
  • Good Ideas Unite
  • Trancecarpathiarts
  • Zaporizhzhia Resource Center “KRUG”
  • Coordination Center for Public Control
  • Zero Waste Society
  • Zero Waste ZP
  • Rewilding Ukraine
  • Protecting Zaporizhzhia’s parks and trees

From around the world:

  • Earthsight (United Kingdom)
  • Progressive Shopper (United States)
  • Climate Scorecard (United States)
  • Environmental Investigation Agency (United Kingdom)
  • Campaign for Ukraine (United Kingdom)
  • European Resilience Initiative Center (Germany)
  • Bruno Manser Fonds (Switzerland)
  • Social Initiative “Euromaidan-Warsaw” (Poland)
  • Roland Platt (Germany)
  • Earth Thrive (UK / Serbia)
  • Ei polteta tulevaisuutta (Finland)
  • Leefmilieu (The Netherlands)
  • Milieudefensie (The Netherlands)
  • Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights (Germany / Switzerland)
  • UWEC Work Group (International working group)
  • Febus.org (Belarus)
  • BirdLife Estonia (Estonia)
  • Foundation Max van der Stoel (The Netherlands)
  • Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
  • Foundation Max van der Stoel (The Netherlands)
  • Natural Heritage Foundation (Poland)
  • Forum Ökologie & Papier (Germany)
  • Pro REGENWALD (Germany)
  • B4Ukraine (The Netherlands)
  • Save Estonia’s Forests (Estonia)
  • Fern (Belgium)

Earthsight’s investigation on this topic is worth your attention

Are you a representative of a non-governmental organization from Ukraine or any other country in the world and want to sign the appeal? Fill out the form here.

Photo Fanny Schertzer, CC BY-SA 3.0