Brussels: The Council of the European Union officially announced on Tuesday the adoption of the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. This came as part of its continued response to what it described as the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, and in efforts to increase pressure on Moscow to end the conflict.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the European Council's new package focuses on targeting what is known as Russia's "shadow fleet," with around 200 oil tankers added to the sanctions list. The package also imposes restrictions on Surgutneftegaz, one of Russia's largest oil companies, which generates significant revenue for the Russian government and is used to finance the war.
The Council stated that the sanctions also include new measures to counter hybrid threats, serious human rights violations, and the export of dual-use goods and equipment that contribute to enhancing Russia's military capabilities. The sanctions also target individuals and companies from third countries suspected of supplying military equipment or helping Russia circumvent existing sanctions, the statement explained.
It affirmed that the EU is employing all available legal tools to halt external support for Russia's war machine. The Union stressed that this package is not the last, as work is already underway on a new round of sanctions aimed at undermining Russia's ability to fund the war and depriving it of critical resources.
This move comes as part of a series of escalating measures taken by the EU since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, which has included dozens of economic and diplomatic sanctions packages in steadfast support for Ukraine and its sovereignty.