EU IMPOSES NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN SHADOW FLEET
The European Union has agreed on the 17th sanctions package against Russia, which will be formally adopted by the Council of the EU next week. These sanctions aim to limit Russia's war economy by targeting its shadow fleet. The new measures were proposed by the Commission in April and come as Russia continues to block a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has already agreed to.
The package of measures includes blacklisting nearly 200 oil tankers used to bypass restrictions on Russian oil exports. Additionally, the package targets companies in countries like Vietnam, Serbia, and Turkey accused of supplying goods to the Russian military, as well as dozens of Russian officials involved in cyberattacks, human rights abuses, and sabotage in Europe. The measures further include restrictions on 30 companies involved in the trade of dual-use goods and the listing of 75 individuals and entities linked to Russia's military-industrial complex. The sanctions also target Russia's hybrid operations, including propaganda outlets and entities involved in the sabotage of underwater cables, airports, or servers.
The EU hopes to tighten sanctions to pressure Russia in peace talks. The new sanctions come as EU leaders have threatened Russia with "massive sanctions" if it does not agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by the United States. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Russia of additional European sanctions if there is no "real progress" towards peace in Ukraine this week.
Source: ShippingWatch, Splash247