A new EU sanctions package against Russia, including measures against Chinese companies producing drones for Russia’s war against Ukraine, was discussed for the first time on Wednesday, DPA has learned.
Representatives of the 27 member states discussed the European Commission’s new proposals in what would be the EU’s 15th sanctions package following Russia’s large-scale invasion of its neighboring country more than two years ago.
The proposals also include taking stricter measures against the so-called Russian shadow fleet used to transport oil and oil products, the information said.
Russia has long been accused of using ships neither owned by Western shipping companies nor insured by Western insurance companies to circumvent a Western price ceiling on Russian oil exports to third countries.
Experts believe that these ships pose significant risks to shipping and the environment, as many tankers are outdated, have technical deficiencies and sometimes operate without an automatic identification system.
For months, neighboring Baltic Sea countries such as Sweden have been demanding stricter measures against the shipowners, operators and insurance companies involved.
Britain led the charge earlier this week with new sanctions against Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, adding 30 ships to its sanctions list.
According to the European Commission’s plans, the European Union could potentially target around fifty ships. For example, they could be denied access to ports in EU countries. In June, more than twenty ships were already on the EU list.
The latest EU sanctions package against Russia was adopted in June.
It mainly included measures against multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) transactions and against companies involved in circumventing sanctions.
Another EU sanctions package against Russia is planned for February next year, to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The sanctions currently planned should be decided by the end of this year.
