The EU is ready with new sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet

The EU countries agree on the 17th sanctions package against Russia.

This is reported by the news agency AFP.

The sanctions, which are to be formally adopted on Tuesday, will target Russia’s shadow fleet. This is to limit Russia’s war economy.

Russia’s shadow fleet refers to oil tankers that transport Russian oil and are subject to sanctions.

The new sanctions were already in the works in April, and they come as Russia continues to block the 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has already agreed to.

Therefore, it is expected that the EU will try to escalate the sanctions to put pressure on Russia in the peace negotiations.

At a foreign ministers’ meeting in April, the EU’s foreign chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that the goal was to have the new sanctions ready in May aimed at the shadow fleet.

She emphasized in this context that oil is one of the areas that will impact Russia’s economy.

“I think we should go as hard as possible,” said Kaja Kallas at the foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg in April.

At the same meeting, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M) supported a new sanctions package.

“This is also something we from the Danish side are leaning into. We want the toughest possible sanctions on Russia. A 17th sanctions package against Russia should ideally come soon,” said Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

According to AFP, the sanctions package includes a blacklist of around 200 oil tankers used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports.

Companies in countries like Vietnam, Serbia, and Turkey, which are accused of helping to supply goods to the Russian military, will also face restrictions.

In addition, a number of Russian officials will be added to the nearly 2400 individuals and entities already affected by visa bans and asset freezes.

The package also includes sanctions against Russian individuals due to cyberattacks, human rights violations, and sabotage in Europe.

Member of the European Parliament from the Moderates, Stine Bosse, believes that the sanctions package hits the mark.

“Finally, the EU is addressing Russia’s shadow fleet. It has taken too long for my taste, but now we are tightening the grip on the hidden activity that continues to finance Putin’s war and constantly poses a risk to both our environment, as the ships are often old and worn, and to our security, as we have seen that the ships are used for example for sabotage of underwater cables,” says Stine Bosse.

/ritzau/