European Union Imposes New Sanctions on Individuals and Entities Linked to Russian Oil

Brussels, European Union. The European Union (EU) on Monday approved new sanctions against individuals and entities it accuses of supporting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, as well as separate sanctions targeting those related to alleged Russian hybrid operations.

According to a statement from the Council of the EU, five individuals and four entities directly or indirectly linked to major Russian state-owned oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil have been added to the sanctions list. These individuals are accused of controlling vessels that transport crude oil or petroleum products originating from or exported from Russia, and of concealing the oil’s true origin.

The Council stated that the targeted entities are shipping companies based in the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Russia. These companies own or manage tankers that were already subject to restrictive measures by the EU or other countries for their involvement in the shadow fleet.

In a separate decision, the Council also added 12 individuals and two entities to the sanctions list. They are cited for alleged “foreign information manipulation and interference and malicious cyber activities” against the EU, its member states, and partners.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the aim of these measures is to “deprive Russia of the means to fund this war [the war in Ukraine].”

Under the EU’s sanctions regime related to Ukraine, listings now exceed 2,600 individuals and entities. A separate framework targeting destabilizing activities covers an additional 59 individuals and 17 entities.