Poland's presidency announced that the EU ambassador supported the 16th sanctions package in Russia a few days before the third anniversary of Moscow's full invasion of Ukraine.
The measures were formally adopted by the foreign minister on Monday, Russia's so-called Shadow Fleet's targeted captains and owners – ships with vague ownership usually have no insurance.
The ships helped Moscow escape Occupy oil price caps and transport stolen Ukrainian grains. Officials also fear that the ships could be used to destroy telecommunications cables in the Baltic and North Seas.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomes the new measures.
“The EU aims more ships [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's shadow fleet, imposed a new import and export ban,” Von der Leyen wrote on X.
“We are committed to maintaining pressure on the Kremlin,” she wrote.
“With the help of evasion, new import and export bans and measures to impose sanctions on Putin's shadow fleet, we are closing the door to the Russian war machine,” Kaja Kallas, the top EU diplomat, wrote on X.
She added: “The Kremlin will not break our determination.”
Approved ships are no longer allowed to enter the EU and can freeze the group's owner's assets.
Previously, the EU had banned nearly 80 ships from entering its ports and banned companies from providing services. EU diplomats say another 73 ships have been added to the approved ship list with new sanctions.
Transactions with 11 ports and airports with Russia that play a role in circumventing oil price ceilings will be banned.
Next to the Sanctions Shadow Fleet, the new sanctions package is to exclude 13 other banks from the Swift Financial Communication System.
In addition, eight Russian media companies will lose their broadcast licenses in the EU, diplomats said.
Punitive measures also include a broad ban on imports of Russian aluminum and aluminum alloys, and an export ban on equipment that can be used to control combat drones, including video game console controllers.
Monday marks the third anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
