- Category
- Latest news
EU Slaps Russia With 17th Sanctions Package, Citing Human Rights and Oil Smuggling
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
European Union ambassadors have reached an agreement on a 17th sanctions package against Russia, Radio Free Europe’s Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak reported on May 14.
In addition to new economic measures, the EU also approved a parallel set of sanctions targeting Russia for human rights violations, global hybrid interference, and the proliferation of chemical weapons.
According to Bloomberg, the latest sanctions package zeroes in on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and the individuals and entities helping the Kremlin evade existing sanctions, especially those tied to circumventing the oil price cap.
🇪🇺 ambassadors just gave green light to the 17th sanctions package on 🇷🇺. In parallel they have also approved more sanctions on 🇷🇺 for human rights abuses, hybrid interferences around the world and chemical weapons proliferation
— Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) May 14, 2025
The timing of the new sanctions aligns with diplomatic developments surrounding possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he is prepared for direct negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey this Thursday. However, Zelenskyy added, “I have little faith that the Russian leader will actually show up for the meeting.”
The United States is also reportedly getting involved. President Donald Trump is said to be dispatching Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Türkiye to participate in the talks.
Earlier, reports emerged that Washington and its European allies were prepared to impose the most severe sanctions yet on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine.
The proposed sanctions—currently under review by the US Congress—could target key elements of Russia’s economy, including the Central Bank and the so-called “shadow fleet” used to export Russian oil outside formal channels.
