EU Approves Four Fresh Sanctions Sets Against Russia

The European Union has announced a sweeping set of new sanctions against Russia in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, the European Commission confirmed the adoption of four new sanctions packages — including the 17th set of restrictive measures — that target Moscow’s shadow oil fleet, chemical weapons activities, human rights violations, and hybrid threats.

A major focus of this latest effort is cracking down on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — a network of oil tankers operating outside official channels to evade international sanctions.

These ships are central to bypassing the G7-imposed price cap on Russian crude oil, which has been in effect since late 2022. That price cap allows Russian oil to be sold to third countries using Western insurance, provided it remains below $60 per barrel.

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However, enforcement efforts are now tightening. The EU aims to push for a reduction in the cap later this week, when G7 finance ministers meet in Banff, Canada — a move designed to further squeeze one of the Kremlin’s primary sources of wartime revenue: fossil fuel exports.

This latest sanctions package adds more than 130 individuals and entities to the EU blacklist. Among them are 75 new organizations, including Russia’s major oil producer Surgutneftegaz, a prominent shipping insurance firm, and four shadow fleet operators based in the UAE, Turkey, and Hong Kong.

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While EU diplomats considered including Litasco’s Dubai branch — the trading arm of Russia’s second-largest oil company, Lukoil — Hungarian objections and legal uncertainties prevented its inclusion. However, Eiger Shipping DMCC, Litasco’s Dubai-based maritime arm, did make the final list.

The new measures also expand the list of sanctioned vessels. An additional 189 ships — 183 of which are oil tankers — have now been blacklisted, bringing the total number of targeted vessels to 324.

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These tankers often operate under “flags of convenience,” registered in countries like Sierra Leone, Gabon, Comoros, India, Azerbaijan, and even the tiny landlocked nation of San Marino. The EU has initiated discussions with flag-registering nations to curb these loopholes and prevent Russian circumvention.

Beyond energy and shipping, the EU’s sanctions also intensify restrictions on the export of dual-use goods — items that can serve both civilian and military purposes. Several entities in China, Belarus, and Israel have been blacklisted for allegedly aiding Russia’s military-industrial complex.

As the war enters a prolonged phase and pressure mounts for more effective enforcement, this comprehensive package marks a significant step in the EU’s strategy to degrade Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort — while sending a clear message to international partners engaged in indirect support of the Kremlin.