Russia Considers Legalizing Stolen EU and Ukrainian Vehicles Amid Diplomatic Freeze

In a move that has sparked significant concern across Europe, the Russian government is currently deliberating legislative changes that would permit the official registration of vehicles stolen from the European Union and Ukraine. Proposed by the Russian Interior Ministry under direct orders from President Vladimir Putin, the draft law aims to legitimize cars brought into the country despite being flagged on international search lists.

Targeting "Unfriendly States"

According to the Moscow-based daily newspaper Kommersant, the Interior Ministry justifies the measure as a way to protect the interests of vehicle owners whose cars are being sought "at the initiative of unfriendly states." This designation applies not only to the 27 EU member nations but also to Switzerland, Norway, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Furthermore, the legislation would effectively legalize vehicles internationally sought by Ukraine, which reportedly includes cars confiscated in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

Currently, Russian law prohibits the registration of internationally wanted vehicles. However, the Interior Ministry claims that since the onset of the war against Ukraine, authorities in "unfriendly states" have consistently ignored Russian requests for information regarding these vehicles. Germany was explicitly cited as an example, with Moscow alleging that Berlin ignores inquiries "for political reasons." Official Russian data indicates that as of January 2026, there were 123 vehicles in Russia internationally sought by Berlin, yet Russian authorities claim they received no explanation for the search warrants.

Germany Cites Lack of Jurisdiction

The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), responsible for investigating car thefts, confirmed the current suspension of information exchange with Russia. "The BKA is aware of inquiries from Russian authorities regarding vehicles listed by Germany," the agency stated. "However, since these predominantly concern civil law issues—such as ownership and the owner's interest in repatriation—the BKA has no jurisdiction."

While the BKA declined to speculate on whether the Russian legislation would trigger a spike in car thefts, the numbers highlight a broader issue. The 123 German vehicles officially acknowledged by Russia in January 2026 represent a mere fraction of total thefts. According to BKA statistics, 30,373 vehicles were stolen in Germany in 2024, with only 8,858 cases (nearly 30 percent) successfully resolved.

A "Fatal Signal" to Organized Crime

Benjamin Jendro, spokesperson for the Berlin-based Police Union (GdP), corroborated the lack of intense administrative cooperation with Russia. While acknowledging that Russian authorities had occasionally secured wanted vehicles in the past, Jendro noted the current geopolitical reality: "Anyone can imagine that right now, no government official from Germany is traveling to Russia to retrieve a stolen vehicle, especially since insurance claims are often settled long before they are found."

Jendro strongly condemned the proposed Russian law, describing it as a "fatal signal" that essentially "favors criminality." He warned of the potential consequences, stating, "We have had stable car theft figures for years—at a very high level. Such a law would further undermine the security authorities' fight against international car smuggling rings." He added that a common tactic for years has been stealing cars, transporting them to Eastern Europe, and immediately dismantling them.