The European Union adopts new package of sanctions against Russia

TALLINN - The European Union on Thursday approved its 20th package of sanctions aimed at reducing Russia's revenues and curbing its ability to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said it is a strong and significant "gift" to Russia, whose three-day special military operation has now lasted for four years.

"The aggression is mainly financed by Russia's energy sales, and the 20th package also focuses on turning off those taps," Tsahkna said. "Russia's brazen and deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilians and vital infrastructure reflect Putin's fear, desperation, and inability to achieve success on the battlefield. This means we must increase the pressure on the aggressor even more and force it to end the war in Ukraine."

The foreign minister emphasized that the EU's continued economic pressure on Russia is a central part of supporting Ukraine and will not be eased, even amid possible peace negotiations, until Russia has returned to within its internationally recognized borders.

The 20th sanctions package includes several strong measures. The Council of the European Union is given the option to impose a complete ban on maritime transport services for Russian crude oil and petroleum products. Forty-six shadow fleet vessels will be sanctioned, Russia's ability to acquire tankers for its shadow fleet will be restricted, and providing services to Russian icebreakers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers will be prohibited. Ports, financial institutions, and crypto-asset service providers will be added to the list of entities subject to a transaction ban. Additional export restrictions will be imposed on goods used to strengthen Russia's defense industry, and import restrictions on goods that generate significant revenue for Russia. The broadcasting ban will be extended to entities that continue to transmit content from sanctioned media outlets.

Sixty companies will be added to the list of military end-users and sanctions evaders. For the first time, an anti-circumvention tool will be introduced, prohibiting the export of certain goods to third countries that have re-exported these goods to Russia. The personal sanctions list will be expanded to include 117 individuals and entities, among them oil industry companies, energy companies, defense industry companies, and companies in third countries that help circumvent sanctions, supply necessary goods to Russia's defense industry, or enable the activities of the shadow fleet.

Measures against Belarus were also tightened.

Tsahkna confirmed that work on the next, 21st sanctions package has already begun. "Russia earns billions from high energy prices and its ability to sell oil. The European Union must respond decisively and take all measures to limit Russia's energy revenues, including imposing a complete ban on maritime services for Russian oil and petroleum products. We will not settle for half-measures. Each new package strengthens our message: Ukraine is not alone, and Russia will not get away with it."

The agreed-upon sanctions will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.