EU Introduces New Sanctions Against Russia

On May 14, European Union ambassadors endorsed the 17th round of sanctions aimed at Russia, focusing primarily on the country’s covert oil tanker operations. “This is a strong signal that the EU remains united behind the people of Ukraine,” stated European Council President Antonio Costa on the social media platform X.

Targeting Russia’s Shadow Fleet and More

The sanctions are directed at nearly 200 vessels within Russia’s shadow fleet, 30 companies engaged in evading sanctions, and 75 entities and individuals connected to the Russian military-industrial complex, according to a senior EU official who spoke anonymously to the Kyiv Independent. The shadow fleet has been instrumental in circumventing Western sanctions by transporting Russian oil beyond the price caps set by the G7, and has been implicated in espionage and sabotage activities.

The latest sanctions also include measures against Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, such as legal actions against propaganda outlets and entities involved in sabotaging critical infrastructure like underwater cables, airports, and servers. “So, you can see the direction we are going. In addition to ‘traditional’ sectoral and individual sanctions, we are broadening and more actively using other sanctions to hit Russia where we see the threats or where they aim to bypass the existing sanctions,” the EU official explained.

Additional Sanctions and Chemical Ban

Furthermore, the EU will impose sanctions on over 20 entities and individuals responsible for spreading disinformation, and 20 judges and prosecutors involved in persecuting Russian opposition figures Vladimir Kara-Murza and the late Alexei Navalny. A ban on chemicals used in missile production is also part of the new measures.

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“I welcome the agreement on our 17th sanctions package against Russia,” commented European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. “This war has to end. We will keep the pressure high on the Kremlin.”

Continued Commitment to Ukrainian Support

The decision to implement the 17th package of sanctions followed shortly after the adoption of the 16th package on February 24, which also targeted Russia’s shadow fleet, financial institutions, and entities involved in the Russian military-industrial complex. In a unified stance, President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland, have vowed to introduce further sanctions against Russia should the Kremlin reject their offer for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.