The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that the European Union has reached agreement on its 17th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The new measures focus particularly on curbing Russia’s use of a so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers used to circumvent restrictions on its oil exports.
Writing on social media platform X on Wednesday morning, von der Leyen welcomed the political agreement among EU member states’ ambassadors, stating that the sanctions package includes new restrictions on battlefield-relevant technologies and the blacklisting of 189 additional vessels involved in opaque Russian oil shipments.
“I welcome the agreement on our 17th sanctions package against Russia. We are further restricting access to battlefield technology. And we have listed an additional 189 shadow fleet vessels to target Russia’s energy exports.” von der Leyen stated. “This war has to end. We will keep the pressure high on the Kremlin.”
The confirmation follows reports from Brussels-based diplomats indicating that the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), composed of EU member states’ ambassadors, gave their preliminary approval to the 17th sanctions package earlier this week. This step forms part of the EU’s standard sanctions adoption procedure, with final approval expected at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for 20 May.
The new package is understood to reinforce and expand existing measures targeting the Russian economy, particularly its energy sector, which continues to generate substantial revenue for the war effort in Ukraine. The decision to sanction nearly 200 tankers comes amid growing international scrutiny over Russia’s continued ability to export oil via a network of older and poorly insured vessels, often operating under flags of convenience and with minimal oversight.
These ships, collectively referred to as the “shadow fleet”, are believed to be instrumental in enabling Russia to sidestep the G7 oil price cap and sanctions regimes imposed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Analysts suggest the fleet has grown significantly in recent months, with operations increasingly shifting towards risk-prone maritime routes and involving ship-to-ship transfers in international waters.
Beyond the targeting of maritime logistics, the 17th sanctions package also introduces further export controls on dual-use technologies and components with potential military applications. While full details of the affected items have not yet been disclosed, EU officials have repeatedly highlighted the importance of preventing the flow of advanced electronics, semiconductors, and drone-related components into the Russian military-industrial complex.
Von der Leyen’s remarks indicate that the EU intends to sustain a rolling sanctions mechanism, with preparatory work on an 18th package already set to begin following the formal adoption of the current measures.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, the European Union has gradually imposed restrictions covering a wide range of sectors, including finance, defence, aviation, media, and trade. Earlier packages have included asset freezes and travel bans on Russian officials, bans on the export of sensitive technologies, and limits on the import of Russian fossil fuels.
Despite the extensive sanctions regime, questions persist over the enforcement and circumvention of measures, particularly through third countries and complex trade routes. The EU has previously introduced provisions to combat sanctions evasion, including mechanisms to penalise operators and jurisdictions facilitating the re-export of restricted goods to Russia.
The inclusion of the shadow fleet in the latest sanctions package represents a clear attempt by Brussels to address these enforcement challenges more directly, particularly as global oil markets adjust to new geopolitical dynamics.
The Council of the European Union is expected to endorse the measures without substantial amendment at its next meeting of foreign ministers on 20 May. If approved as planned, the new sanctions will enter into force following publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
This development coincides with broader transatlantic efforts to maintain coordinated sanctions policy. The United States and United Kingdom are also reportedly reviewing their respective regimes targeting maritime transport networks linked to Russian oil exports.
Von der Leyen’s statement signals that sanctions will remain a central instrument of EU policy towards Russia for the foreseeable future, with additional measures likely to follow as the war in Ukraine continues and enforcement loopholes are identified.
Read also:
EU Unveils 17th Sanctions Package Targeting Russia’s Shadow Fleet and Military Supply Chain
