Europe reveals sanctions focusing on clandestine oil vessel fleet and cyber assailants, aimed at curbing oil revenue streams and retaliating against digital aggression.
Fresh Take:
The European Union (EU) is cranking up the heat on Russia with a new bundle of sanctions, aiming to constrict its "skulking" oil fleet as Europe threatens even harsher penalties if Russia fails to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire.
In a no-holds-barred interview with BFM TV, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for "crushing" sanctions to squeeze Russia until it agrees to a truce.
The latest crackdown against the Kremlin - the 17th round of EU sanctions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - was already in the works before European leaders issued their ultimatum to Moscow over US-led peace negotiations.
EU diplomats representing the bloc's 27 member states have given the green light to the package during a meeting in Brussels, according to the Polish presidency of the bloc. However, two countries still need to run the details by their respective parliaments. The package is expected to win approval next week from the bloc's foreign ministers, sources told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The package, set to be formally adopted on Tuesday, includes the blacklisting of around 200 oil tankers used to slip past curbs on Russian oil exports. Companies in countries such as Vietnam, Serbia, and Turkey accused of helping Russia dodge sanctions by supplying goods to its military will also face hurdles.
In addition, dozens of Russian officials are set to be slapped with visa bans and asset freezes, bringing the total to nearly 2,400. Further sanctions on Russian individuals over cyberattacks, human rights abuses, and sabotage in Europe are also anticipated.
Despite acknowledging that the latest round of sanctions against Moscow is relatively modest compared to previous packages, officials maintain they will continue to apply pressure until Russia lifts its aggression against Ukraine.
In a stern warning, EU leaders have threatened "annihilating" sanctions if Russia refuses to sign onto a 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by the United States.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cautioned Russia on Tuesday that it would face further European sanctions if there's no progress this week toward peace in Ukraine. Merz implored Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Thursday for peace talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that he might participate in negotiations in Turkey if Putin and Zelensky choose to meet. However, as of now, there's no sign that Putin will attend.
(Adapted from France 24 with AFP and Reuters, featuring insights from our enrichment data)
Enrichment Data:
Highlights:
- The new EU sanctions against Russia primarily target the country's "shadow fleet," oil tankers used to evade export restrictions.
- Companies in certain nations, including Vietnam, Serbia, and Turkey, are also likely to face restrictions for allegedly aiding Russia's military efforts.
- The sanctions package includes adding dozens of Russian officials to the existing list of people and entities facing visa bans and asset freezes.
- Additional sanctions are planned for individuals linked to cyberattacks, human rights violations, and sabotage in Europe.
- The threat of "massive" EU sanctions looms over Russia if it refuses to agree to a proposed 30-day ceasefire supported by the United States.
- The European Union's new sanctions on Russia, in response to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, will focus on curtailing its "skulking" oil fleet, specifically the "shadow fleet" evading export restrictions, as part of the policy-and-legislation aimed at human rights protection.
- As the European Union policy-and-legislation unfolds, it also includes plans for additional sanctions on individuals linked to cyberattacks, human rights abuses, and sabotage in Europe, reinforcing the conviction that the politics of the region will remain tense until there is general-news of peace and a ceasefire in Ukraine.
