Media: EU agrees new sanctions on Russia ahead of Istanbul peace talks

European Union member state envoys reached consensus on May 14 on a fresh round of restrictive measures targeting Russia, marking the 17th sanctions package since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The latest measures come just one day before high-stakes peace talks are set to begin between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The comprehensive sanctions package includes visa bans and asset freezes targeting senior Russian political and business figures. It also imposes new export restrictions on chemical compounds used in weapons production and introduces trade limitations against dozens of companies accused of circumventing existing sanctions.

Notably, the EU has added nearly 200 vessels from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers—used to bypass Western-imposed oil price caps—to its sanctions list. These vessels, operating under opaque ownership structures, have become central to Russia’s strategy for sustaining energy exports amid tightening Western scrutiny.

Despite their traditionally cautious stance, Hungary and Slovakia supported the measures. According to EU diplomats, their backing stemmed from the relatively modest scope of the sanctions, which left core energy imports untouched—critical to both countries’ energy security.

Sweden and Finland also expressed support but indicated the package would require formal approval by their respective national parliaments. Diplomats confirmed both countries are expected to ratify the measures in due course.

The agreement followed a series of statements from EU leaders and ministers this week reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to increasing pressure on the Kremlin. On May 13, finance ministers from Sweden and Lithuania publicly called for the swift preparation of an 18th sanctions package, citing Russia’s disregard for a 30-day ceasefire deadline set by the EU earlier this month.

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis reinforced the bloc’s hardline stance, saying Brussels is “ready to work to continue putting pressure against the aggressor, Russia, both in terms of new sanctions but also in terms of stronger implementation” of existing measures. He emphasized that curbing Moscow’s energy revenues remains a central objective: “The most effective way of reducing revenue flow for Russia's war machine is to limit income from energy exports.”

The sanctions were agreed as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his intention to “personally” meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 14, in what could mark a pivotal moment in the protracted conflict. The Kremlin, however, remained ambiguous, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming that a Russian delegation would attend the summit, while declining to confirm whether President Putin would participate directly.

Adding further weight to the anticipated negotiations, US President Donald Trump—currently on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East—has reportedly not ruled out attending the Istanbul meeting, where he has advocated for an end to hostilities.

The new EU sanctions package is scheduled for formal approval by the bloc’s foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels on May 20. As tensions persist and diplomatic efforts intensify, the European Union remains firm in its stance: continued pressure on Moscow is necessary to bring about a durable peace.

By Vafa Guliyeva