EU bans transactions with Russian ports of Murmansk, Tuapse Under 20th sanctions package

As part of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, the European Union bans transactions with two Russian ports — Murmansk and Tuapse — as well as with the oil terminal of the Karimun port in Indonesia, which are used to circumvent the oil price cap mechanism, Council of EU reports.

On April 23, the EU Council has adopted a broad set of restrictive measures, including 120 new individual listings — the largest in two years — and wide-ranging economic sanctions targeting sectors that support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

A key focus of the package is reducing Russia’s energy revenues. The measures expand sanctions on the oil sector, including exploration, extraction, refining, and transport activities, while intensifying pressure on the so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass existing restrictions. An additional 46 vessels have been banned from EU ports and services, bringing the total to 632.

The package also introduces tighter controls on maritime services, tanker sales, and LNG-related operations, alongside future restrictions on maritime services for Russian oil and petroleum products. These steps are coordinated with G7 partners under the Price Cap Coalition.

EU officials stated that the objective is to further weaken Russia’s war economy, close loopholes in sanctions enforcement, and increase pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine and engage in meaningful peace negotiations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev