EU adopts 19th sanctions package against Russia targeting gas imports and shadow fleet

Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, announced that the bloc will strengthen restrictions on transactions with two major Russian oil companies. The package also targets 117 additional vessels in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which has helped Moscow circumvent previous restrictions.

“Today is a good day for Europe and Ukraine,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said, according to the Associated Press.

The 19th sanctions package was adopted after opposition from Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, one day after the United States tightened its own measures, Bloomberg noted.

On Oct. 22, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil producers — Rosneft and Lukoil — and nearly 30 of their subsidiaries in response to Moscow’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The European Commission had given preliminary approval to the 19th sanctions package on Sept. 19.

On Oct. 8, media reported that Austria was blocking the package, demanding concessions to unlock €2 billion belonging to Raiffeisen Bank in Russia. Vienna later said it would agree to the adoption of the measures.