EU envoys on Wednesday agreed on a 16th package of sanctions against Russia, EU diplomats said, including a ban on primary aluminium imports, sales of gaming consoles and the listing of 73 shadow fleet vessels.
The package, which largely sticks to the European Commission's proposal, is expected to be adopted by EU foreign ministers on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"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," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on social media platform X.
The aluminium import ban will be phased in a year from the official adoption of the package, which also adds 48 individuals and 35 entities to its sanctions list that includes asset freezes and a travel ban, the diplomats said.
Progress on the latest EU sanctions comes after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Tuesday it had agreed to hold more talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine after an initial meeting that excluded Kyiv - a departure from Washington's previous approach that rallied U.S. allies to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The EU along with other Western powers has been ratcheting up restrictions in recent months to squeeze Russia's oil exports. In addition to the vessels, the envoys agreed to prohibit transactions with ports and airports in Russia used to circumvent the Group of Seven price cap on Russian oil.
The newly sanctioned ships will be added to the already listed 79 ships, mainly tankers, used by Russia to sell oil outside the price cap or vessels that help in Moscow's war effort such as shipping ammunition from North Korea.
The package also expands the criteria the EU will be able to use to sanction owners and operators of the shadow fleet, including captains, as well as those providing support to the military.
Sales of video game consoles, joysticks and flight simulators would also be restricted as they could be used by Russia's military to control drones, one of the diplomats said.
Other bans include exports of chromium and certain chemicals as well as a service ban for oil and gas refineries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday as the Trump administration continues to press Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
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Russia, the world's second-largest oil exporter, on Wednesday imposed restrictions on another major oil export route, suspending a mooring at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk only a day after restricting loadings from a key Caspian pipeline.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a U.S.-brokered moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the limited truce agreed last month as a potential stepping stone toward a full ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Wednesday, as both nations looked to deepen their strategic partnership and navigate rising global tensions through renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Myanmar's deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake has claimed over 3,000 lives, with 351 missing and 4,500 injured. As rescue efforts face civil unrest, unseasonal rains threaten survivors. Global aid arrives, while Myanmar's junta declares a ceasefire to support relief efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday as the Trump administration continues to press Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Myanmar's deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake has claimed over 3,000 lives, with 351 missing and 4,500 injured. As rescue efforts face civil unrest, unseasonal rains threaten survivors. Global aid arrives, while Myanmar's junta declares a ceasefire to support relief efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday as the Trump administration continues to press Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Myanmar's deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake has claimed over 3,000 lives, with 351 missing and 4,500 injured. As rescue efforts face civil unrest, unseasonal rains threaten survivors. Global aid arrives, while Myanmar's junta declares a ceasefire to support relief efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday as the Trump administration continues to press Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
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