Critics have slammed the Russian titanium trade as one of the most glaring gaps in the sanctions regime aimed at strangling Moscow’s war machine. Despite more than three years of punishing measures designed to hurt Russia’s economy, one vital metal, titanium, remains largely untouched. And now, with the war in Ukraine dragging on and the West under fire for sending “mixed signals”, that carve-out could soon be scrapped.
In London, Washington and Brussels, voices are growing louder for a coordinated crackdown on Russia’s titanium export, a critical source of foreign cash for the Kremlin, and a key material in everything from commercial aircraft to fighter jets.
President Donald Trump is said to be preparing a fresh barrage of sanctions against Moscow, with insiders hinting titanium may finally be on the chopping block – if Europe, including the UK, agrees to take the leap and stop buying Russian oil.
“It’s crunch time,” said one senior diplomatic source. “Trump wants to send a message – and closing this loophole would do exactly that.”
Russian titanium: EU and the UK unleash sanctions
The European Commission was expected to unveil its 19th round of sanctions on 17 September, but the measures have now been delayed. The package could now drop as soon as Friday or early next week.
Estonian Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative and a former MEP, didn’t mince words, declaring: “Depriving Moscow of the funds to wage war is essential.” Her tough talk came after European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visited Kyiv, addressing the Verkhovna Rada alongside President Zelenskyy. Her message was clear: “Europe will not back down. We will keep hitting Putin’s war machine where it hurts.”
Back in London, ministers recently unleashed another 100 sanctions targeting everything from electronics suppliers to ships in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” ferrying oil under the radar. Yet titanium, used in the fuselages of commercial airliners and high-end military gear, remains curiously absent from the blacklist.
To date, the UK has cracked down on other Russian metals like aluminium, copper and nickel. But titanium? Not quite. While there are “restrictions” and “enhanced scrutiny,” critics say it’s not enough.
Russian dominance is fading
Russia’s dominance in the titanium market is no secret. VSMPO-AVISMA, the Urals-based titan, is the world’s largest supplier of aerospace-grade titanium and was, until recently, the backbone of supply chains for many companies like Airbus and Boeing. Before the war, it reportedly accounted for up to 60% of Airbus’s titanium and a staggering 80% for Boeing.
But three years later, the playing field has shifted. Airbus now sources much less of its titanium from Russia, while Boeing has pivoted hard toward domestic and allied producers.
“The market has moved on,” a senior EU trade official said. “We’re not as dependent as we once were. The case for exempting titanium is getting weaker by the day.”
In fact, Western manufacturers have already begun stockpiling and diversifying. French firm Aubert & Duval has revamped its operations. U.S. giants ATI and TIMET have ramped up production. Even Kazakhstan and Bahrain are emerging as new players in the titanium game. Industry analysts claim much more of VSMPO’s output is now for domestic use or re-routed via China. But, still, titanium remains unsanctioned.
The writing is on the wall
Calls to plug the titanium loophole are no longer coming from the fringes. In July, a coalition of MEPs demanded a formal review, urging Brussels to align with U.S. and British counterparts. “Titanium is a strategic asset,” one defence analyst said. “Leaving it off the sanctions list not only benefits Russia – it undermines our credibility.”
Even opponents of immediate sanctions now admit the writing is on the wall. As the West recalibrates its economic response to a grinding war with no end in sight, insiders believe titanium is next. “A joint move by the U.S., EU and UK would be a game-changer,” said one former U.S. trade official. “It would show that no sector, not even aerospace, is beyond the reach of sanctions.”
For now, titanium remains one of the last loopholes Russia can exploit. But behind the scenes, the door is closing fast. And if Western leaders are serious about turning off the taps on Vladimir Putin’s war chest, titanium might just be the next domino to fall.
This article was first published on The Brussels Morning.
