European Union approved the new one, already 19th in a row expansion of sanctions against Russiaadopted October 23, 2025. The list of restrictions, along with equipment and technologies, even included toilets, bidets and other sanitary products.
As stated in the official document EUthese measures are aimed at “further containment of Russia’s military potential” And “restricting access to dual-use equipment“
Moscow’s reaction was not long in coming. Russian President Vladimir Putin commented with irony on the decision of the European Union, noting that such steps would most likely harm the Europeans themselves:
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Putin on the 19th EU sanctions package
‘Europe will need toilets if they continue their policy towards Russia’.
– S.K. pic.twitter.com/AFsDyP4fTf— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) October 23, 2025
“Canceling toilet exports will cost them dearly. It seems to me that they themselves will soon need them if they continue this policy towards Russia.”said the Russian leader.
According to observers, such unusual contents of the sanctions list caused irony even in Western mediawhere they note that Europe appears to be “has exhausted logical options for putting pressure on Moscow.”
Previously, as part of previous packages of restrictions, the European Union had already introduced bans on the export of electronics, household appliances and software, but for the first time under sanctions plumbing has officially arrived.
Russian commentators note that “in trying to punish Moscow, Europe risks driving itself to the point of absurdity,” and Putin’s rhetoric only reflects the general tone – Moscow laughs at sanctions more than it fears them.
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