The European Union officially approved a new sanctions package against Russia on Tuesday, focusing on its fleet of “shadow” oil tankers and threatening further penalties for Moscow’s lack of compliance regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
European foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated on social media that “the EU has agreed to the seventeenth package of sanctions against Russia, which targets nearly 200 vessels from the shadow fleet.”
He added, “We are preparing more sanctions against Russia. The longer Russia prolongs the conflict, the more severe our response will be.”
Meanwhile, the UK government also announced on Tuesday the imposition of 100 new sanctions against Russia, aimed at “entities that support the Russian military, energy exports, and information warfare,” according to the Foreign Office.
The UK has also targeted “financial institutions that aid in funding” the war in Ukraine, while reports have surfaced of discussions between London and its allies to cap oil prices and undermine “vital oil revenues.” The ministry’s statement emphasized that “British and other western sanctions are significantly impacting the Russian economy.”
The latest European sanctions against the Kremlin have been in development for weeks and were approved by EU member states last week.
Brussels has hinted at a new set of measures should Moscow continue to delay a ceasefire in Ukraine.
This seventeenth package includes the blacklisting of approximately 200 additional oil tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet, aiming to diminish Moscow’s ability to export oil.
It also entails asset freezes and visa bans on numerous Russian officials.
In addition, the EU has implemented further measures targeting Russia in response to alleged “hybrid attacks” within the bloc.