EU approves new sanctions against Russia over war on Ukraine

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday approved new sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine.

This is the 16th round of sanctions by the EU since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2024.

The latest sanctions target 13 banks, 73 so-called ‘shadow fleet’ tankers used by Russia to export crude oil, and a ‘phased-in’ ban on EU countries buying certain types of Russian aluminium products, according to Financial Times.

The sanctions also target more individuals and companies deemed to be helping Russia waging its war on Ukraine, as per FT.

In a statement after sactions were announced, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said that they remained “committed to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin”.

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“The EU is clamping down even harder on circumvention by targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export bans.We are committed to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin,” said Von der Leyen on X.

The EU sanctions come at a time when the United States under President Donald Trump has reversed years of US stand of supporting Ukraine and standing up Russian aggression. Instead, he has reached out to Russia to establish a US-China political and business relationship by leaving Ukraine and Europe to their own fate. He has indicated he is interested in ending the war irrespective of the way it ends. Plans floated by his allies essentially mean serving a victory to Russia on a platter.

Such a turnaround in the US stand on Ukraine and Russia comes ahead of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Monday.

With the latest round of sanctions, the number of blacklisted shadow fleet ships has reached 153, according to Euronews.

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All of these ships will be banned from EU ports and services.

The sanctions also expel 13 Russian banks from the SWIFT electronic system and suspend the broadcasting licences of eight Russian media outlets, as per Euronews.

The sanctions are expected to be formally adopted by the EU in a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday — coinciding with the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.