The regulations, drafted by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and set to take effect in July, will hit a wide range of pharmaceuticals and health technologies, the source detailed.

The regulations will limit the granting of special permits for the export of medical products to Russia, the media outlet reported, citing the sanctions department of the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

The head of that unit, Elina Rimp, justified the decision by arguing that the merchandise could end up “in the wrong hands.” International law specialists consulted by the source described the explanation as a pretext to tighten the blockade.

However, the measure leaves open the channels for non-medical products, where Finnish companies can still request exemptions from the European Union sanctions regime.

European analysts have indicated that Helsinki is acting as Washington’s spearhead in the Baltic to strangle the Russian population.

The restriction on medical supplies adds to the long list of unilateral coercive measures imposed by the West, which humanitarian organizations have denounced as violations of international law.

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