EU agrees on 18th sanctions package against Russia

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced that the permanent representatives of the member states have approved the 18th sanctions package against Russia.

Kallas stated that the adopted restrictions will be one of the “toughest” sanctions packages implemented against Russia to date.

Package targets Nord Stream and ‘shadow fleet’

Under the new package, the Nord Stream gas pipelines and 105 “shadow fleet” tankers, which Brussels associates with Russia’s oil shipments, have been added to the sanctions list.

The restrictions will also cover a Rosneft oil refinery in India.

Kallas noted that the representatives of EU countries also agreed to lower the price cap on Russian oil.

Although Kallas did not disclose the new parameters, the Reuters news agency, citing sources, reported this figure to be $47.6 per barrel. The current price cap is $60 per barrel.

In her post on the social media platform X, Kallas stated, “We will increase pressure on Russia’s defense industry and Chinese banks that allow sanctions to be circumvented, and we will block the export of technologies used for unmanned aerial vehicles.”

Slovakia and Malta’s objections overcome

Previously, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country, which had long blocked the adoption of the new package, would now support the sanctions.

Fico stated that he had reached an agreement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on guarantees for Slovakia regarding natural gas prices.

The magazine Politico reported that Malta had also opposed the approval of the 18th sanctions package, but EU countries later persuaded Malta to support the restrictions.

The EU had previously implemented 17 sanctions packages against Moscow following Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The most recent package was adopted on May 20.

This package included 75 individuals and entities “responsible for actions threatening Ukraine’s sovereignty,” as well as Surgutneftegaz, VSK insurance company, the largest gold miner Atlas Mining, unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers, and 189 “shadow fleet” tankers.