Brussels sanctions Russia ghost fleet, hybrid threats
On May 14, EU ambassadors agreed on the bloc's 17th package of sanctions against Russia, primarily targeting its ghost fleet of oil tankers, The Kyiv Independent reports.
"This is a strong signal that the EU remains united behind the Ukrainian people," European Council President Antonio Costa said on X.
The measures target nearly 200 Russian ghost fleet ships, 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, and 75 sanctions against entities and individuals linked to Russia's military-industrial complex, a high-level EU official who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Kyiv Independent.
Russia has used the ghost fleet to avoid Western sanctions and to ship its oil above the G7 price cap. European countries have also linked the fleet to espionage and sabotage operations.
The new set of measures also targets Russia's hybrid operations, namely by establishing the legal basis to counter propaganda channels or ships and entities involved in sabotaging underwater cables, airports, or servers.
The EU will also sanction over 20 entities and individuals spreading disinformation, as well as 20 judges and prosecutors involved in legal cases against two Russian opposition figures, Vladimir Kara-Murza and the late Alexei Navalny.
Brussels is also imposing a ban on chemicals used in missile production.
"I welcome the agreement on the 17th package of sanctions against Russia," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X.
"This war must stop. We will keep pressure high on the Kremlin."
Discussions on the 17th package began shortly after the EU adopted the 16th package on February 24. The last package targeted the ghost fleet, financial institutions, entities involved in Russia's military-industrial complex, and many others.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland have pledged to impose additional sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin does not accept their proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
