EU targets Russian oil shipping with new sanctions package

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — The European Commission has proposed a sweeping new sanctions package aimed at crippling Russia’s war economy by completely banning maritime services for vessels transporting Russian oil.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the Kremlin continues to target civilians and infrastructure, necessitating increased pressure to force Moscow toward genuine negotiations. This latest proposal, the 20th package since the invasion began, marks one of the most significant efforts to date to dismantle the financial mechanisms supporting Russia’s military operations.

Comprehensive ban on maritime services

The centerpiece of the proposed measures is a total prohibition on EU companies providing insurance, shipping, and port services to tankers carrying Russian crude oil. While previous regulations allowed these services for vessels adhering to the G7 price cap, the new rule would apply regardless of the oil's sale price. This shift is designed to significantly increase transportation costs for Russia and make it harder to bypass international restrictions through falsified documentation.

Targeting the "shadow fleet" and LNG

In addition to the shipping ban, the EU plans to blacklist 42 more vessels belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet," bringing the total number of sanctioned ships to 640. The proposal also includes a ban on maintenance and technical services for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers. These moves align with the EU's broader commitment to completely halt Russian LNG imports by the end of the year.

Financial and technological restrictions

The sanctions extend beyond energy, targeting 20 Russian regional banks and cryptocurrency platforms used to evade existing measures. For the first time, the EU plans to trigger its "Anti-Circumvention Tool" to ban the sale of computer-controlled machinery and radio equipment to third countries suspected of re-exporting these goods to Russia. This mechanism specifically aims to close loopholes involving indirect trade through nations such as China.

Next steps and diplomatic context

The European Commission aims to finalize the package by February 24, 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion. This announcement follows recent trilateral prisoner exchange talks in Abu Dhabi and a reported resumption of high-level military dialogue between the U.S. and Russia. Despite diplomatic movements, the failure of a recent energy ceasefire mediated by President Donald Trump has left Ukraine's infrastructure under continued aerial assault.

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