UK to announce new Russia sanctions soon, says foreign secretary

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has hinted at imminent new sanctions targeting Russia during a recent exchange in Parliament.

Responding to a query from Conservative MP Priti Patel, who pressed for measures against individuals profiting from Russian oil, Lammy indicated that an announcement is forthcoming, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Lammy highlighted the UK’s ongoing efforts, stating, “I can’t comment on further sanctions from the despatch box, but she will see an announcement very shortly.”

He emphasised the government’s prior actions, including lowering the oil price cap, which he described as “essential,” and noted that Britain has contributed to the “largest package of sanctions anywhere in the world against Putin’s war machine.”

On February 24, 2025, the UK unveiled its largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022, targeting over 100 individuals and entities, including foreign financial institutions like Kyrgyzstan’s OJSC Keremet Bank, which was accused of supporting Russia’s war efforts.

This package also specified 40 vessels in Russia’s "shadow fleet," used to bypass oil export restrictions, bringing the total number of sanctioned tankers to 133—the highest in Europe. These measures aimed to choke off Russia’s military supply chains and revenue streams, particularly from energy exports.

On May 20, 2025, the UK imposed another significant round of sanctions, targeting 100 entities and individuals across Russia’s military, energy, and financial sectors. This included 46 financial institutions, such as the St. Petersburg Currency Exchange and the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency, accused of facilitating sanctions evasion.

Additionally, 18 more shadow fleet ships were sanctioned, alongside individuals like British national John Michael Ormerod, implicated in procuring vessels for Russia’s illicit oil trade.

In July 2025, the UK announced 137 new sanctions focusing on Russia’s oil and energy sectors, targeting 135 tankers in the shadow fleet responsible for transporting over $24 billion in cargo since early 2024.

These measures complemented the EU’s 18th sanctions package, which lowered the oil price cap on Russian crude to $47.60 per barrel and imposed a total transaction ban on 45 Russian banks to curb sanctions circumvention.

By Aghakazim Guliyev