EU imposes new sanctions on Russia, targets shadow fleet and banks

The new EU sanctions will target not only additional sectors of the Russian economy but also - at Poland’s request - 70 oil tankers operating as part of Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet," along with their captains.

EU flag, illustrative photo

Photo: kdg2020/Pixaby.com

EU member state ambassadors unanimously approved the resolution, accepting Poland’s proposal to adopt the sanctions ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had earlier urged EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to sanction the Russian shadow fleet, citing environmental risks and damage to underwater infrastructure, such as the EastLink2 cable between Finland and Estonia.

Pod przewodnictwem Polski stali przedstawiciele państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej uzgodnili dziś rano 16 pakiet sankcji wobec Federacji Rosyjskiej.
Ma szansę być przyjęty przez Radę d/s Zagranicznych w trzecią rocznicę inwazji na Ukrainę.

— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) February 19, 2025

EU agrees new sanctions package against Russia

I welcome the agreement on our 16th package of sanctions.

The EU is clamping down even harder on circumvention by targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export bans.

We are committed to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 19, 2025

The new sanctions package also includes bans on cooperation and transactions with several Russian ports and airports violating the oil embargo, the disconnection of additional Russian banks from the SWIFT system, and further restrictions on Belarus to prevent it from helping Russia bypass Western sanctions.

Several individuals have been added to the EU blacklist, facing travel bans and asset freezes, while Russian media outlets have had their broadcasting licenses revoked. The measures also prohibit the export of Russian aluminum to the EU and restrict trade in certain chemicals.

EU vs Russia: New 16th package of sanctions

The EU has agreed on a new sanctions package against Russia, targeting its aluminium industry and tightening restrictions on oil exports. This is the 16th round of sanctions since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The measures… pic.twitter.com/rBGTus2bEl

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 19, 2025

Source: IAR/PAP/X/@sikorskiradek/@vonderleyen/@nexta_tv

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