Politics EU states agree on new Russia sanctions
The EU member states have agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia due to the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. It is to come into force on the third anniversary of the invasion next Monday, as announced by the Polish EU Council Presidency following a decision in the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States in Brussels.
19.02.2025, 09:51
SDA
According to diplomats, the new sanctions package will exclude 13 more banks from the Swift financial communications system. In addition, eight Russian media companies will lose their broadcasting licenses in the EU, and there will be an extensive import ban on Russian aluminium and aluminum alloys and an export ban on devices that can be used to control combat drones. This also includes video game console controllers, for example
Shadow fleet in our sights
Even tougher action is also planned against the so-called Russian shadow fleet. Accordingly, sanction rules will be changed so that in future, captains and owners of ships can also be subject to punitive measures.
The so-called Russian shadow fleet consists of ships with unclear ownership structures, some of which are not even insured. These are used, for example, to circumvent the Western price cap for Russian oil exports to third countries or to transport grain stolen from Ukraine. There are also fears that they will be used to sabotage data cables in the Baltic and North Sea in the future.
The aim is deterrence
Captains and owners sanctioned by the EU would no longer be allowed to enter the EU. In addition, their assets in the EU would have to be frozen. According to the Polish EU Council Presidency, the main aim is deterrence. Up to now, captains have not had to expect penalties because dropping anchors in international waters is not prohibited.
In the fight against the activities of the Russian shadow fleet, the EU had already banned almost 80 ships from entering ports over the course of last year and prohibited companies from offering them services. With the new round of sanctions, more than 70 are now to be added. There are also plans to ban transactions with ports and airports in Russia that play a role in circumventing the oil price cap.
