EU countries agreed on Wednesday to blacklist around 50 additional oil tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet," which have been used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, officials said.
The move, which is set to be formally approved by foreign ministers on Monday, is part of the EU's 15th sanctions package since Russia's invasion in 2022.
Ukraine's international allies have sought to cut off funding to the Kremlin's war machine by imposing a price cap and restrictions on Russia’s key oil exports.
To evade these measures, Russia has turned to a "shadow fleet" of often aging vessels that operate under dubious ownership or without proper insurance.
"The EU and its G7 partners are committed to maintaining pressure on the Kremlin," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.
"I welcome the agreement on our 15th package of sanctions, which specifically targets Russia's shadow fleet."
Diplomats said the new sanctions would add around 50 more ships to the EU's blacklist, bringing the total number of targeted vessels to approximately 80. This follows similar actions taken by the United Kingdom and the United States.
In addition to targeting Russia's oil exports, officials noted that the EU would also sanction more Chinese companies for supplying the Russian military.
The bloc has already imposed bans on EU firms doing business with several Chinese companies accused of providing critical equipment to Russian forces.
Diplomats explained that the latest sanctions were narrower in scope compared to previous rounds, as Hungary, Russia’s closest ally in the EU, currently holds the bloc's rotating presidency.
There is hope that a more robust sanctions package will be proposed once Poland assumes the presidency in January. However, officials acknowledged that finding major new targets for sanctions is becoming increasingly difficult.
Russia's economy is beginning to show signs of strain, having largely managed to withstand Western sanctions in recent years.
(With AFP)
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