Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Council of the European Union has adopted its 20th package of restrictive measures, comprising 120 new individual sanctions—the largest set in two years—targeting sectors that support Russia’s war against Ukraine. This package aims to further weaken Russia’s economy and military capacity, and reaffirms EU support for Ukraine in resisting aggression and attacks on civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, according to the Council’s press release.
Key measures include comprehensive sanctions on both upstream and downstream segments of the Russian energy sector, covering exploration, extraction, refining, and oil transport. The package specifically targets emerging market players that have recently increased export shares and includes entities operating shadow fleets in third countries, as well as a major maritime insurer.
Sanctions now apply to 46 additional vessels, bringing the total to 632 ships banned from port access and related maritime services. These actions target non-EU tankers circumventing the oil price cap, transporting military equipment, or moving stolen Ukrainian grain.
The package also introduces mandatory due diligence checks on tanker sales to hinder Russia’s shadow fleet expansion. These steps are coordinated with G7 members and the Price Cap Coalition, supporting a future maritime service ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy emphasized the EU’s commitment to increasing pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace is achieved. The sanctions complement the €90-billion loan provided to Ukraine to strengthen its defense capabilities.