The European Union is set to announce a new package of sanctions against Russia, timed just before a direct round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. The EU has agreed to impose additional sanctions on Russia and has warned that further measures will be implemented if the country continues to refuse the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the White House and the "Coalition of the Willing."
This latest push comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenges Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in direct peace talks in Turkey, a format endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the Kremlin has yet to confirm whether Putin will attend the discussions in Istanbul. Zelenskyy stated, “I believe that if Putin does not arrive and plays games, it is the final point that he does not want to end the war.”
The preliminary agreement on the new sanctions package, which marks the 17th since February 2022, was reached during a meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday morning and is expected to be formally approved by foreign affairs ministers next week. Despite Hungary’s past objections to economic restrictions, the country did not oppose the latest measures, suggesting that behind-the-scenes discussions proceeded without significant controversy.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict, stating, “This war has to end. We will keep the pressure high.” The sanctions primarily target the "shadow fleet" utilized by the Kremlin to bypass Western restrictions on oil trade, which is crucial for funding the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
This "shadow fleet" consists of older, uninsured ships suspected of engaging in deceptive practices, such as falsifying data and disabling transponders to avoid detection. To date, the EU has targeted 153 tankers from this fleet, denying them access to EU ports and services. The new sanctions will add an additional 189 vessels, bringing the total to over 350.
The sanctions package also includes a blacklist of 75 individuals and companies linked to Russia's military industrial complex and over 30 firms from countries such as Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), suspected of supplying dual-use goods prohibited by the West. Additionally, the export of EU-made chemicals that can be used to produce missiles will be banned.
As Brussels finalizes this 17th package, there are already discussions regarding the next steps to increase economic pressure on Russia, especially in light of the stalled diplomatic efforts. A Commission spokesperson confirmed that further sanctions are being considered in the absence of a ceasefire.
In a late-night address, French President Emmanuel Macron identified potential targets for sanctions, including Russia's financial services, oil, and gas, indicating a coordinated effort with Washington. He stated that Europe’s objective is to "achieve a thirty-day ceasefire on land, air, and sea to discuss the issue of territories and security guarantees."
However, any new sanctions, particularly those that are more stringent, may face resistance from Hungary. While Budapest eventually agreed to renew existing sanctions, Brussels remains anxious about the future and is currently exploring alternative methods to bypass vetoes and ensure the continuation of the extensive sanctions regime. Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy, noted, "We are exploring all options" to maintain the sanctions.
