Category
Latest news

EU Adopts 17th Russia Sanctions Package: 200 Ships Targeted, Oil Cap Urged

2 min read
Authors
Photo of Liubava Petriv
Liubava Petriv
Author
EU Adopts 17th Russia Sanctions Package: 200 Ships Targeted, Oil Cap Urged
The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, during the Congress of the European People’s Party, at the Feria de Valencia, on 29 April, 2025 in Valencia. (Source: Getty Images)

On May 20, the European Union formally approved its 17th package of sanctions targeting Russia, a move aimed at tightening pressure on Moscow over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, the new measures target nearly 200 vessels involved in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and also address hybrid threats and human rights violations.

“The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships,” Kallas stated on X. “New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works. The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response.”

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the adoption of the sanctions package but stressed the need for continued and expanded pressure on the Kremlin.

“We are grateful for the 17th sanctions package adopted today,” Sybiha told reporters in Brussels. “But it is important to go beyond this and raise the cost of aggression.”

Sybiha called for additional steps, including a stricter oil price cap of no more than $30 per barrel, and expanded sanctions against Russia’s financial infrastructure, including its Central Bank.

“These strong measures are needed now,” he said, “because Ukraine has demonstrated in recent weeks that it is not the obstacle to peace. It is Putin who wants this war.”

The Foreign Minister emphasized the urgency of “full diplomatic mobilization” to counter Russian aggression and support efforts toward a durable peace in Ukraine and Europe.

“That is why full diplomatic mobilization is so crucial—to contain Russian aggression and move toward peace,” he concluded.

On the same day, the United Kingdom unveiled a new package of sanctions against Russia, blacklisting over 100 entities and individuals connected to Moscow’s military-industrial complex, financial system, and state-sponsored disinformation efforts.

See all