The European Union on Thursday agreed a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and banning imports of Russian liquefied natural gas. The move comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joins EU leaders at a summit in Brussels to push for more support against Russia’s invasion.
The Danish EU presidency confirmed the measures. It said they are designed to cut Russian energy income, which funds the war in Ukraine.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Europe was acting to defend its own security, adding: “Today is a good day for Europe and Ukraine.”
The sanctions also include new limits on the movement of Russian diplomats inside the 27-nation bloc.
Energy, shipping under pressure
The package is the 19th since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
It adds 117 vessels to the list of ships banned from European ports for helping Russia move oil outside price caps and other restrictions. The so-called “shadow fleet” now stands at 558 tankers.
New contracts for Russian liquefied natural gas will be banned from 1 January 2026. Short-term contracts already in place may continue until 17 June 2026. Long-term supply deals can run until 1 January 2028 under a transition phase.
Rasmussen said the sanctions focus on “oil and gas, the shadow fleet and Russia’s financial sector”. He said they are intended to make it harder for Moscow to raise money without pushing inflation even higher for ordinary Russians.
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The announcement follows new sanctions announced on Wednesday by the United States. It targeted Russia’s two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft.
“Today’s actions increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
“We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions.”
EU officials said the coordination between Brussels and Washington increases the impact of both countries’ measures.
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Use of frozen assets
EU leaders are using the Brussels summit to push forward plans to use billions of euro in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.
The biggest tranche of frozen assets – some €194 billion worth – are held in Belgium but the government says it does not want to use the money without firm guarantees from its European partners.
Officials said energy revenue remains the main pillar of Russia’s economy. By squeezing this source of funding, the EU hopes to limit Moscow’s ability to continue the war.
Some governments have raised concerns about long-term financial risks linked to using frozen assets. But countries closest to Ukraine insist that continuing military and economic support is essential.
Earlier this week, members of a 33-nation support group known as the Coalition of the Willing said they opposed any suggestion that Kyiv should give up territory in exchange for peace. That idea has recently been floated by US President Donald Trump.
As Britain prepares to host a meeting of the coalition on Friday, EU leaders are likely to approve a new road map to strengthen Europe’s defence. They say Europe must be ready to deter any future threat from Russia.
(with newswires)
