The European Union has adopted four new sanctions packages against Russia—its 17th targeting Moscow’s shadow oil fleet—as part of ongoing efforts to tighten pressure over the war in Ukraine.
The measures affect over 130 individuals and entities, including Russian oil major Surgutneftegaz, shipping insurers, and four shadow fleet operators based in the UAE, Turkey, and Hong Kong. An additional 189 vessels, mostly oil tankers, were blacklisted—raising the total number of sanctioned ships to 324.
The EU aims to block efforts to bypass the G7 price cap on Russian oil, which bars Western-insured shipments above $60 per barrel. Brussels is also pushing to lower the cap at this week’s G7 finance ministers' meeting in Canada.
While a move to sanction Litasco’s Dubai branch was dropped due to Hungarian opposition, its affiliated Eiger Shipping DMCC was included in the final list.
The bloc also intensified scrutiny on tankers using “flags of convenience” from countries such as Sierra Leone, Gabon, Comoros, India, Azerbaijan, San Marino, and various Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
In parallel, new restrictions were placed on dual-use exports—items that could support Russia’s military sector. Entities in China, Belarus, and Israel were named for allegedly aiding Russia’s military-industrial complex.
EU officials confirmed that sanctions will continue and said work on an 18th sanctions package is already underway.
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