Russian birch plywood reaches Europe disguised as Georgian

 Russian birch plywood, banned in the European Union, continues to enter European markets under a Georgian label. A company based in Rustavi, established in 2022, has become a conduit for Russian wood products, effectively sidestepping EU sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. An investigation by iFact Georgia reveals how a company called Palati-2022, established in Rustavi in 2022, has become a conduit for Russian wood products, sidestepping EU sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trade data shows that between 2023 and 2025, Georgia imported roughly $45 million worth of birch products from ...