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.
The Kremlin backed U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Russia’s expulsion from the G8 in 2014 was a mistake but dismissed the relevance of the current G7, calling it “rather useless.”
A major wave of Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv early Tuesday, killing 16 people, including a U.S. citizen, and injuring dozens as the capital faced one of the largest attacks since the war began.
The European Commission is set to unveil legal measures on Tuesday aimed at ending imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2027, in a move that would formalize the European Union’s shift away from Russian energy supplies following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that removing Russia from what was once the G8 was a “very big mistake,” claiming the ongoing war in Ukraine could have been avoided if Moscow had remained at the table. He also suggested China’s inclusion in the G7 could be considered.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the planned next round of Russia-U.S. consultations aimed at resolving ongoing diplomatic tensions was canceled at the initiative of the American side.
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Missiles fired from Iran were observed over several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Tubas, on the fifth day of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Authorities have urged the public to seek shelter as air defense systems respond.
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Missiles fired from Iran were observed over several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Tubas, on the fifth day of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Authorities have urged the public to seek shelter as air defense systems respond.
Missiles fired from Iran were observed over several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Tubas, on the fifth day of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Authorities have urged the public to seek shelter as air defense systems respond.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the end of a curfew imposed on downtown Los Angeles following last week's Anti-ICE protests, citing its success in maintaining order.
President Donald Trump met with top security advisers Tuesday as the U.S. boosted its military presence in the Middle East amid escalating strikes between Israel and Iran.
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Missiles fired from Iran were observed over several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Tubas, on the fifth day of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Authorities have urged the public to seek shelter as air defense systems respond.
Missiles fired from Iran were observed over several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Tubas, on the fifth day of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Authorities have urged the public to seek shelter as air defense systems respond.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the end of a curfew imposed on downtown Los Angeles following last week's Anti-ICE protests, citing its success in maintaining order.
Scarlett Johansson recalls how the original “Jurassic Park” deeply influenced her childhood as she premieres her role in “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” set to release on July 2.
President Donald Trump met with top security advisers Tuesday as the U.S. boosted its military presence in the Middle East amid escalating strikes between Israel and Iran.
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