Ambassadors from European Union countries have agreed on a new wave of sanctions against the Russian Federation. As reported by Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak, diplomats have reached an agreement to include a number of individuals and companies involved in the operation of the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ in the sanctions list.
This is reported by Kyiv24
New Restrictions for Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’
According to the information released, the sanctions target nine individuals and legal entities that facilitate the activities of the ‘shadow fleet’. Additionally, 43 vessels that are part of this fleet have been added to the blacklist. Furthermore, the sanctions also affect 12 individuals and two companies that, in the EU’s view, destabilize the situation within the EU itself.
The new restrictions include officers from the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation (GRU), representatives connected to the ‘Valdai’ club, as well as citizens of the United States, France, and the Czech Republic, whom the EU suspects of collaborating with Russia.
The ‘shadow fleet’ refers to tankers that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions against its oil industry, imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
When Will the New Sanctions Be Finally Approved?
As Rikard Jozwiak clarified, the final formal approval of the sanctions package is expected on Friday, December 12. This decision will be another step by the EU in countering Russia’s attempts to bypass international restrictions imposed due to the invasion of Ukraine.