Brussels targets Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ in new sanctions package draft
The European Commission has finalized a 17th sanctions package against Russia, largely focused on its fleet of uninsured tankers exporting crude oil, Bloomberg and Reuters reported on May 6.
The draft includes restrictions on more than 150 ships of the so-called “shadow fleet” that Russia uses to evade oil sanctions. With these measures, the total number of sanctioned tankers will exceed 300.
The commission also proposed sanctions against more than 60 individuals and entities, including roughly 50 companies. Among those targeted are five Chinese firms and 31 enterprises that either support the Russian military or help bypass existing trade restrictions.
Additional measures would tighten export controls on dual-use items and advanced technology. Separately, a provision would extend, until June 2026, an exemption from sanctions on Russia’s Sakhalin-2 LNG project because of its importance to Japan.
EU foreign ministers are expected to vote on the package at a meeting in Brussels on May 20. However, the sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, and the details may change, especially amid repeated veto threats from Hungary.
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