Hiroshima: Group of Seven countries will agree to work together to track Russian diamonds, but stop short of slapping Moscow with an outright ban on the lucrative gem trade, according to people familiar with the discussions and a draft statement seen by Bloomberg.
The move to track and trace Russian diamonds across borders could pave the way for an import ban in the future, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential matters. G-7 leaders will hold talks on further responses to Russia’s attack on Ukraine during meetings that begin Friday in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
Earlier attempts to sanction Russian gems in Europe have met resistance from importer nations like Belgium, who argue doing so would just shift the diamond trade elsewhere. Bloomberg reported previously that the G-7 and European Union were discussing how to track the precious stones across borders.
According to a draft seen by Bloomberg, the leaders will say they will work together to “restrict trade in and use of diamonds mined, processed or produced in Russia” and “coordinate future measures, including through tracing technologies.” The statement has yet to be finalized and could change before it is adopted.
Sanctions in place
One G-7 member state that would stop all imports of Russian diamonds is the UK, which since Brexit is no longer bound by the need for consensus with the European Union. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also announced that the UK would end imports of Russian-origin nickel, copper and aluminum, although such shipments are dwarfed by what goes to the EU.
The G-7 summit in Hiroshima will focus on how to further squeeze Russia’s economy.
The President of the European Council confirmed the G-7 and EU would work to restrict trade in the Russian gems. “Russian diamonds are not forever,” Charles Michel said on Friday at a briefing in Hiroshima.
A diamond’s origin is clear at the start of the supply chain when it is issued a certificate under the Kimberley Process, which was designed to end the sale of so-called blood diamonds that financed wars. After that, they can become difficult to track.
Cut and polished stones are often intermingled at trading houses and the original certificate will be replaced with “mixed origin” documentation, making it near-impossible to keep track of where Russian diamonds are eventually sold.
On metals, the G-7 leaders will simply affirm a broad effort to reduce Russia’s revenue, according to the draft statement seen by Bloomberg.
The ban on imports of Russian copper, aluminum and nickel by the UK is largely symbolic since it isn’t a major importer or warehousing location, whereas a clampdown by the EU would have major implications for metals markets.
While the flow of many commodities from Russia to Europe has dropped since the war broke out, metal producers like MMC Norilsk Nickel and United Rusal International have continued to sell nickel, copper and aluminum to European buyers.
