The Council of the European Union approved the 17th sanctions package aimed at the Russian shadow fleet on May 20. In particular, the sanctions target nearly 200 vessels involved in illegal operations. The decision was announced by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, who shared the information on social media platform X.
This is reported by Finway
“The EU has approved the 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 ships of the shadow fleet. The new measures also address hybrid threats and human rights,” she noted.
Borrell also emphasized that the European Union plans to introduce new sanctions, stressing that “the longer Russia continues the war, the harsher our response will be.”
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, highlighted in his Telegram that the new sanctions package includes comprehensive measures that will strike at critical aspects of Russia’s military machine, its shadow fleet, and schemes to evade export controls. He added that restrictions are planned against another 17 individuals and 58 legal entities, as well as the blocking of 189 new vessels involved in the transportation of Russian oil, weapons, and stolen Ukrainian grain.
Thus, a total of 342 vessels will be under restrictions. It is particularly important that the strict sanctions will apply not only to companies from Russia but also to third countries such as Turkey, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and the UAE, which have facilitated the evasion of restrictions and supplied components for drones and missiles.
Yermak also reported that for the first time, in response to hybrid threats, the EU is introducing economic sanctions for physical attacks in Estonia, sabotage of underwater cables, and support for pro-Russian demonstrations in Europe.