The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom announced new sanctions against Russia on the 20th. The 27 EU countries officially adopted the 17th package of sanctions against Russia at a foreign affairs and defense ministers' meeting held in Brussels, Belgium.
According to the final adopted plan, 189 tankers, known as the 'shadow fleet,' which are used to circumvent the price cap on Russian crude oil currently implemented by the Group of Seven (G7) nations, were added to the sanctions list. With this, the total number of sanctioned tankers increased to 342.
Thirty-one corporations that support the Russian military-industrial complex directly or indirectly or circumvent sanctions also became subjects of sanctions. In addition to Russian companies, firms from Turkey, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Serbia, and Uzbekistan were included.
The individual sanctions list has been expanded by a total of 75 entries, including 17 individuals involved in circumventing sanctions or supplying weapons to Russia, along with 58 corporations and institutions. As a result of these sanctions, their assets in the EU will be frozen, and regional travel will be prohibited. The Russian energy corporation Surgutneftegas, which provides substantial revenue from energy sales to the Russian government, was also added to the individual sanctions list.
On the same day, the UK Foreign Office also revealed a new sanctions proposal aimed at increasing pressure on Russia. The UK sanctions proposal targets the shadow fleet tankers along with Russian Iskander missiles that have been launched into civilian areas in Ukraine.
Fourteen employees affiliated with the social design agency (SDA) known to conduct information operations funded by the Kremlin were also added to the sanctions list. The new sanctions from the EU and the UK were announced the day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which effectively resulted in a 'hands-off agreement.'
Reuters reported that European leaders had publicly requested the Trump administration to join in strengthening sanctions recently, but this announcement of sanctions was made amid a lack of significant action from the United States.