EU formally adopts 17th round of sanctions against Russia
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The EU escalates pressure on Moscow with new sanctions targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet tankers and Russian officials, warning of further action if Russia blocks a Ukraine ceasefire.
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Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Keir Starmer Prime Minister of the UK greet each other ahead of their bilateral meeting at the 6th European Political Community Summit on May 16, 2025, in Tirana, Albania. (AP)
The European Union on Tuesday formally adopted its 17th round of sanctions against Russia, focusing on nearly 200 tankers in Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” and warning of further penalties if Russia continues to reject a Ukraine ceasefire.
"The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on X.
"More sanctions on Russia are in the works. The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response."
Broader measures include visa bans and a response to hybrid threats
The latest package, already endorsed by member states last week, also includes asset freezes and visa bans on dozens of additional Russian officials, along with new measures targeting Russia over alleged hybrid attacks within the EU.
Brussels has also signaled that even harsher sanctions are under consideration as pressure mounts on Moscow to agree to a truce in Ukraine.
UK joins effort with 100 new sanctions
The UK government also announced a fresh wave of 100 new sanctions against Russia, following Moscow’s largest drone attack of the war over the weekend, which saw 273 drones launched at Ukrainian cities.
The new measures target entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex, energy exports, and alleged propaganda networks, according to a statement from the Foreign Office. Sanctions were also imposed on financial institutions accused of helping to fund the war effort.
"Every rouble by which we cut Kremlin revenues diminishes Putin's ability to sow chaos, division and disorder across the world," the statement said, citing the growing toll Western sanctions are taking on the Russian economy.
The UK and its allies are also reportedly in talks to tighten the oil price cap in a bid to further hit Russia’s critical energy revenue.
The sanctions come amid renewed diplomatic activity. On Monday, US President Donald Trump held a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump claimed both sides had agreed to begin peace talks “immediately”.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back on Tuesday, accusing Moscow of stalling and not negotiating in good faith. He described Friday’s Istanbul talks as fruitless, saying Putin’s delegation was made up of “empty heads”.
"It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation," Zelensky wrote on social media.
