Russia to not be able to sell timber cut down in Ukraine – Ecology Ministry

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Acting Minister Ruslan Strilets during a telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Strilets, it is currently unknown if Russian troops are indeed planning to cut down timber in Ukraine, but Russia will not be able to sell the timber anyway.

“Even if they did cut down some timber, they simply had not sold it anywhere,” Strilets added.

In his words, since March 8, 2022, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has ceased cooperation with Russia and Belarus. The FSC certificate is required to export timber. Thus, neither Russia nor Belarus can now legally sell timber to other countries.

The Ukrainian Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ministry also asked the European Commission to monitor the aggressor state’s attempts to bypass the ban and prevent Russia from exporting timber via third countries or using forged documents.

mk