The EU Council has approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting nearly 200 ships in the shadow fleet. As a result, the total number of sanctioned vessels transporting Russian oil, weapons, and stolen Ukrainian grain has risen to 342. In addition to the shadow fleet vessels, trade restrictions have been placed on companies from Turkey, Serbia, Uzbekistan, and the UAE that assisted the Russians in evading sanctions. The list of individuals and legal entities associated with the Russian military-industrial complex has also been expanded: They are banned from entering the bloc, and their assets will be frozen. Meanwhile, the EU is already working on its 18th package of sanctions.
The UK also imposed new sanctions against Russia, restricting 100 facilities across the military, energy, and financial sectors, as well as individuals involved in the Kremlin’s information war against Ukraine. Sanctions have also been placed on the supply chains that sustain Russian weapons systems, including Iskander missiles. The restrictions encompass 46 financial institutions that assist Russia in evading sanctions and 18 ships from the shadow fleet. Collaborating with its partners, London is also striving to tighten price restrictions on Russian oil.
US President Donald Trump, after the telephonic conversation with Putin, stated that he would not intensify sanctions against Russia so as not to jeopardize negotiations with Moscow, in which he stated “there is a chance for progress.”