EU’s 17th sanctions package targets Russia’s shadow fleet

The European Union has agreed on its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, European Council President António Costa confirmed, marking the first official acknowledgment of the deal that focuses on Moscow’s oil smuggling operations.

‘Important agreement reached today by EU ambassadors on the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, including measures to counter the Russian shadow fleet. This is a strong signal that the EU remains united behind the people of Ukraine,’ Costa wrote on social media.

The new sanctions package primarily targets Russia’s aging fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western oil restrictions, according to Euronews. The agreement reportedly adds 189 vessels to the EU’s blacklist, bringing the total number of targeted ships to over 350, all of which are denied access to EU ports and services.

The package also blacklists 75 individuals and companies involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex and over 30 firms suspected of supplying Moscow with dual-use goods, including companies in Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.  Additionally, it bans exports of EU-made chemicals that can be used to produce missiles.

The sanctions agreement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenges Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in direct peace talks in Turkey.

European leaders are also threatening additional sanctions if Russia fails to accept a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron specifically mentioned Russia’s financial services, oil and gas as potential targets for future sanctions, coordinated with Washington.

Europe’s objective is to ‘achieve a thirty-day ceasefire on land, air and sea to discuss the issue of territories and security guarantees,’ Macron said in a late-night address cited by Euronews.

The latest sanctions package is expected to be formally approved by foreign affairs ministers next week. Notably, Hungary, which has twice this year nearly blocked sanctions renewals, did not reportedly oppose the measures, with diplomats saying the behind-the-scenes discussions proceeded without major controversy.

https://x.com/eucopresident/status/1922569176410898459https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/14/eu-agrees-new-sanctions-on-russia-and-threatens-more-if-putin-refuses-ceasefire