COUNCIL PAVES THE WAY FOR 15TH SANCTIONS PACKAGE AGAINST RUSSIA
On 11 December, Permanent Representatives of EU Member States approved a new sanctions package against Russia. The 15th package since the start of the war in Ukraine sees additional measures to counter Russia’s shadow fleet, the increasing number of old tankers often uninsured and with unclear ownership allowing Russia to export its crude oil and petroleum products abroad, despite international sanctions.
Member States agreed to ban an additional 52 tankers from EU ports, raising the total to 79 sanctioned ships. This decision follows a European Parliament resolution adopted in November calling for more targeted measures against these vessels in the next EU sanctions packages. MEPs also demanded the systematic sanctioning of vessels sailing through EU waters without known insurance and urges the EU to enhance its surveillance capabilities, especially drone and satellite monitoring, and to conduct targeted inspections at sea.
Member States are expected to formally approve the package during the next Foreign Affairs Council on 16 December.