The EU plans to expand sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet – Bloomberg
The European Union is considering adding about 20 additional tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet to the upcoming 21st package of restrictive measures aimed at reducing Moscow’s oil revenues. The new sanctions are also planned to extend to vessels transporting liquefied natural gas to prevent the Kremlin from creating a similar shadow fleet for LNG.
This was reported by Bloomberg.
In addition to seagoing vessels, oil traders, refineries, financial institutions, and crypto operators in third countries that help Russia circumvent the bloc’s current limits may also face restrictions. At the same time, a complete ban on maritime oil shipments is currently unlikely due to the stance of several member states that fear instability in the Middle East without coordinating this step at the G7 level. The new sanctions package will also include trade restrictions on chemicals, minerals, metals, and ores for Russia’s aerospace sector and drone production.
To cut off supply channels for Western military technologies, the bloc is preparing export controls targeting more than two dozen foreign firms, particularly from China, India, Turkey, and Central Asia. The main targets of this sanctions pressure remain Russia’s financial and energy sectors, as well as depriving its military industry of critical components. The official presentation and finalization of the 21st sanctions package are scheduled for early June in the EU.
Ukraine has introduced a new package of sanctions against Russian commanders who directed missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, as well as against ships providing military logistics to Russia.
Ukraine has rejected the idea of “associated” EU membership without voting rights, which had been discussed in European political circles. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that such a format is unfair and does not correspond to Ukraine’s role in European security.
The European Union has moved to the practical stage of preparing Montenegro’s accession treaty. The country continues on its path toward EU integration and has declared its intention to become a member by 2028.
Ukraine hopes that the European Union will open all six negotiation chapters on the country’s accession this year and anticipates the possibility of closing at least one of them by the end of the year.
Ukraine may temporarily forgo some of the benefits of EU membership to accelerate the accession process. Taras Kachka noted that such a step would help the country integrate into the EU more quickly.
