On May 20, EU foreign ministers approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships.
This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on social media platform X, according to Ukrinform.
“The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships. New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works. The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response,” Kallas wrote.
As clarified on Telegram by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak, the total number of sanctioned vessels transporting Russian oil, weapons, and stolen Ukrainian grain has now increased to 342.
“The new measures include restrictions on 17 individuals and 58 legal entities, as well as the blacklisting of 189 additional ships involved in transporting Russian oil, weapons, and looted Ukrainian grain. In total, 342 vessels will now be under sanctions,” the post reads.
Yermak emphasized that the sanctions target not only Russian entities but also companies from third countries, including Türkiye, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and the UAE, that assisted Russia’s defense industry in circumventing restrictions and supplied components for drones and missiles.
“For the first time, as part of the EU’s hybrid threats regime, economic sanctions are being introduced for physical attacks in Estonia, sabotage of undersea cables, and support for pro-Russian demonstrations in Europe,” Yermak added.
As previously reported, the EU Foreign Affairs Council is meeting in Brussels on May 20, with the participation of both foreign and defense ministers. A central topic of both meetings is continued EU assistance to Ukraine and support for its pursuit of a just and lasting peace.
