(politico.eu) - Valentine's Day drove a spike in demand for rough diamonds from Russia, according to the most recent numbers from the Belgian economy ministry requested by POLITICO. The import of rough Russian diamonds is not sanctioned by the EU, despite repeated calls from Ukraine and some EU countries to crack down on the luxury industry. Imports to Belgium rose again in December and January in the lead-up to Valentine's Day on February 14. In January 2023, Belgium imported €132 million worth of Russian rough diamonds, which was higher than the €97 million in January 2022, although the weight of imports was lower in 2023.
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