The Estonian Foreign Ministry has revealed that a number of Estonian firms have requested temporary exemptions from EU sanctions on Russia.

State broadcaster ERR reported that 28 companies have made formal requests to be allowed to continue importing Russian oil products despite sanctions which presently require them to terminate all existing contracts with Russian companies by October 10th. Among the companies requesting exemptions are oil trader Trafigura and Estonian state railroad company Operail.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu stated, “I am convinced that the Estonian public is justifiably interested in knowing which Estonian companies have requested transitional exemptions to continue oil trade with Russia.”

The EU’s sixth package of sanctions, passed in June, included a partial embargo on Russian oil.

Estonia has been largely supportive of moves to sanction Russia. Reinsalu noted that despite the requests for exemptions, the government would like to, “further bar EU energy trade with Russia,” and have already submitted even stronger proposals for a new package of sanctions.