EU expands sanctions on Russia’s "shadow fleet" with 40 new listings

The European Union is preparing to impose sanctions on a further 40 vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, according to EU officials.

The move is due to be approved on December 15 at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Caliber.Az reports, citing the European External Action Service.

Speaking ahead of the talks, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the measures are intended to deprive Russia of funding for its war.

"We have made also decisions, or will make decisions today, regarding the shadow fleet vessels. We have 40 additional vessels plus enablers, and this is all for depriving Russia of the means to fund this war. We also reached the target of the 2 million rounds initiative," Kallas said.

According to her, this is necessary for Ukraine to defend itself. 

The EU has already begun sanctioning ships involved in transporting Russian oil outside standard sanctions packages, saying the network is designed to circumvent existing restrictions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev