The Foreign Minister Wants to Ban Russians from Buying Clothes – “It Provokes Me That They Wear Italian Designer Clothes”

Sweden and Finland have presented proposals on how the war in Ukraine could be ended. The proposals focus on new sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia, including a total ban on the export of European luxury goods to the country. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) says she is troubled that Russian individuals can purchase European clothes.
– It provokes me that wealthy Russian consumers can dress in expensive Italian designer clothes, she says.

Alongside a complete ban on Russians buying and wearing European designer clothes, the top Moderate politician also wants to see a halt to the EU’s purchase of Russian fertilizer and a ban on European companies transporting Russian oil, gas, and coal.

– No transport. No transferring of cargo between ships. No insurance and no repairs in port, the Foreign Minister explained.

These proposals were presented during the national Folk och Försvar conference in Sälen earlier this week, where Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) was joined by her Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen.

– The pressure on Russia must be increased. That’s why we are presenting these three proposals ahead of the next EU sanctions package, said Malmer Stenergard from the stage at the Högfjällshotellet.

She emphasized that the EU has already adopted 19 sanctions packages, but there is still much to be done before they have a real effect. Overall, it may be perceived that the sanctions — which also cost the EU large sums — have not forced Russia to withdraw. Instead, the country continues to advance in eastern Ukraine.

This is also something the Swedish Foreign Minister to some extent admits. The sanctions do not affect Russia’s economic strength or its ability to continue the war.

– It is not decisive for the Russian war economy, but it is morally right. It provokes me that wealthy Russian consumers can wear expensive Italian designer clothes and drink fine French wines, Malmer Stenergard said in Sälen.

The proposals not only aim to punish Russia economically, but also to send a clear signal about the EU’s values.

– A country should not be able to violate European values and still have access to exclusive European products, the Swedish Foreign Minister concluded.

The Government: Increase Support for Ukraine

Sweden also wants to see increased military and economic support for Ukraine. Malmer Stenergard stressed that every discussion about European security must begin and end in Ukraine.

– Therefore, support for Ukraine must increase. We know what Ukraine needs, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing negotiations. It is more money and more weapons, she said.

See the full speech here:

PoliticsSweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard wants to halt all exports of European luxury goods to Russia.
– It provokes me that wealthy Russian consumers can dress in expensive Italian designer clothes. And drink fine French wines, she says.

Mattias Balkander
Updated: yesterday 22:16|Published: 2026-01-12
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It was during the Foreign Minister’s speech at the national Folk och Försvar conference in Sälen on Monday that the proposal was presented.

In addition to an export ban on European luxury goods to Russia, Maria Malmer Stenergard, together with Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, also proposed a total ban on all European companies transporting Russian oil, gas, and coal, as well as halting all European purchases of Russian fertilizer.

– The pressure on Russia must be increased. That’s why we are presenting these three proposals ahead of the next EU sanctions package, says the Swedish Foreign Minister from the stage at the Högfjällshotellet.

Five Identified Priorities

To meet the security policy challenges Europe is facing, Maria Malmer Stenergard wants to highlight five specific priorities.

These are: increasing support to Ukraine, increasing pressure on Russia, strengthening Europe’s role in NATO, working for a stronger EU, and building even stronger ties with our closest neighbors.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen. Photo: Filip Powidzki Casserblad

One of the things Sweden and Finland want is for the EU to stop all exports of luxury products to Russia.

– A country should not be able to violate European values and still have access to exclusive European products. Despite 19 adopted sanctions packages, much remains to be done to increase pressure on Russia.

Europe needs to take greater responsibility

Sweden’s Foreign Minister says that every discussion about European security must start and end in Ukraine.

– Therefore, support for Ukraine must increase. We know what Ukraine needs, regardless of the outcome of ongoing negotiations. It is more money and more weapons.

During her speech, Maria Malmer Stenergard also expressed that the transatlantic relationship needs a new balance.

– That is absolutely clear. It is logical that Europe takes greater responsibility in NATO as the US’s strategic priorities shift, she says.

In her work to strengthen cooperation in the local area, the Foreign Minister says it is closer now than ever. The countries involved are the Nordic, Baltic nations, as well as Poland and Germany.

– That circle will only grow in importance going forward, says Maria Malmer Stenergard.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard’s speech was filmed by some. Photo: Filip Powidzki Casserblad

No Doubt About US Support

Regarding the development around the US’s wish to purchase Greenland, the Foreign Minister was asked whether we can trust the US today.

– Then one must ask, in what aspect ‘trust,’ she answers.

What aspects do you have in mind?

– On the one hand, as many think: if the Russians were to invade Sweden, the US would be there at our side in accordance with Article 5. I do not doubt that. There are no signals from any part of the administration suggesting otherwise.

She then gave another example.

– Can we trust that we still share the same values we have always relied on? Values that have also inspired us as we developed into a market economy and have become wealthier for it. There, one is becoming more uncertain, she says, and adds:

– What does the United States want? That is unclear today.