May 14

EU sanctions target nearly 200 Russia-linked ships

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ENB Pub Note: Until the EU sanctions Chinese or Indian refineries, Russian oil will still reach its biggest buyers. I have included a summary of the sanctions, and Russia has had a 4.2% GDP growth even under these sanctions.
Key Points
  • The EU has imposed multiple sanctions on Russia since 2014, with the 17th package unveiled on May 14, 2025, targeting individuals, entities, and vessels.
  • Research suggests the 17th package includes over 100 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet and extends exemptions for certain projects.
  • It seems likely that further sanctions may be considered if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire, but these are not yet implemented.
Background
The European Union (EU) has been imposing sanctions on Russia since March 2014, initially in response to the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine. These measures were significantly expanded after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, targeting Russian political elites, military-industrial complexes, and key economic sectors.
New Sanctions This Week
On May 14, 2025, the EU unveiled its 17th package of sanctions against Russia. This package is designed to increase pressure on Russia by targeting additional individuals and entities, with a focus on over 100 vessels (some sources suggest up to 150) linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which helps evade oil sanctions. It also extends an exemption for the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project until June 2026, due to its importance to Japan.
Additional Context
There are ongoing discussions about potential further sanctions if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, with deadlines mentioned for early May 2025. However, as of May 14, 2025, these additional measures have not been implemented, and their adoption depends on Russia’s response.
Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of EU Sanctions on Russia, Including Recent Developments in May 2025
The European Union’s sanctions against Russia, initiated in response to its military aggression against Ukraine, represent a significant and evolving policy framework aimed at pressuring Moscow to cease its actions and comply with international law. This section provides a detailed examination of the EU sanctions, with a particular focus on the new measures introduced in the 17th package, unveiled on May 14, 2025, as well as the broader context and potential future developments.
Historical Context and Policy Framework
The EU began imposing sanctions on Russia in March 2014, following the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the deliberate destabilization of Ukraine. These initial measures included asset freezes and travel bans on individuals responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds, as detailed in Sanctions Adopted Following Russia’s Military Aggression Against Ukraine – European Commission. The sanctions were significantly expanded after February 24, 2022, in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion, with the EU adopting unprecedented measures to weaken Russia’s economic base, deprive it of critical technologies and markets, and curtail its ability to wage war.
The EU has adopted 16 packages of sanctions prior to May 2025, with the 16th package adopted on February 24, 2025, targeting 74 additional vessels and 53 companies, as noted in EU Adopts 16th Package of Sanctions Against Russia – European Commission. These packages have included individual listings, sectoral sanctions on energy, finance, and technology, and trade restrictions, often coordinated with allies like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.
The 17th Package of Sanctions (Unveiled May 14, 2025)
The 17th package of sanctions, proposed by the European Commission on May 6, 2025, and unveiled on May 14, 2025, marks the latest escalation in the EU’s efforts to pressure Russia. According to European Commission Proposes 17th Russia Sanctions Package | Reuters, the package includes the following key measures:
  • Individuals and Entities: The package targets approximately 60 additional individuals and entities, primarily those involved in supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex or engaged in sanctions circumvention, as reported in EU to Propose More Sanctions on Russia’s ‘Shadow’ Oil Tankers – Bloomberg.
  • Vessels: It imposes restrictions on over 100 vessels (with some sources, such as Bloomberg, suggesting up to 150) linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which is used to evade oil sanctions. This brings the total number of listed ships to over 300, aiming to disrupt Russia’s ability to generate revenue from oil exports.
  • Exemptions: An exemption for the Russian oil and gas project Sakhalin-2 is extended until June 2026, owing to its importance to Japan, as noted in the Reuters article.

The adoption of this package was confirmed through recent X posts, with

@Maks_NAFO_FELLA

stating on May 13, 2025, that “EU countries have fully agreed on the 17th package of sanctions against Russia” , and

@KyivIndependent

reporting on May 12, 2025, that the EU plans to unveil it on May 14 . Given the current date of May 14, 2025, and the time being 06:43 AM CDT (which corresponds to afternoon in Brussels, CEST), it is reasonable to conclude that the unveiling has occurred or is imminent.

Broader Context of EU Sanctions
The EU’s sanctions regime is multifaceted, targeting various aspects of Russia’s economy and political structure:
  • Individual Sanctions: Asset freezes and travel bans on Russian officials, oligarchs, and entities, with the list expanded in each package.
  • Sectoral Sanctions: Restrictions on energy (e.g., oil and gas imports, with a price cap adopted in December 2022), financial services, and technology transfers, as explained in EU Sanctions Against Russia Explained – Consilium.
  • Trade Restrictions: Prohibitions on exports of dual-use goods and technologies that could enhance Russia’s military capabilities, with additions in each package to combat circumvention.
The EU has also addressed circumvention risks, particularly through targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, a focus that has intensified in recent packages, as seen in the 16th package’s targeting of 74 vessels and the 17th package’s expansion.
Potential Future Sanctions and Ceasefire Demands

Recent developments indicate that the EU is considering further sanctions if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. X posts from May 12 and 13, 2025, such as

@NOELreports

stating “Germany warns Russia: accept the 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine by end of Monday—or face new EU sanctions” and

@Megatron_ron

reporting “Germany threatens Russia and Putin: your time is running out. ‘The clock is ticking. There are 12 hours left, and if a ceasefire isn’t reached, the EU will start preparing sanctions’” , suggest a deadline around May 12, 2025. However, as of May 14, 2025, there is no confirmation of these additional sanctions being implemented, and they remain contingent on Russia’s response.

Economic and Political Impact
The sanctions have had a significant impact on Russia’s economy, with research suggesting a contraction in GDP and increased reliance on alternative trade routes, such as with China and India. The targeting of the shadow fleet aims to further reduce Russia’s oil revenues, which fund its military operations, while the extension of exemptions like Sakhalin-2 reflects geopolitical considerations, particularly with Japan.
Challenges and Controversies

The implementation of sanctions faces challenges, including potential vetoes by member states like Hungary, as mentioned in an X post by

@avalaina

on May 13, 2025, noting “The next sanctions extension is in July and Hungary may veto it” . This highlights the political obstacles within the EU, especially given Hungary’s historical divergence on Ukraine-related issues, as reported in EU Ready to Impose More Sanctions on Russia After Summit Talks | European Union | The Guardian.

Conclusion
The EU’s sanctions on Russia, with the 17th package unveiled on May 14, 2025, represent a continued effort to pressure Moscow economically and politically. The package targets additional individuals, entities, and vessels, particularly focusing on Russia’s shadow fleet, while extending certain exemptions. Ongoing discussions about further sanctions tied to ceasefire demands suggest potential future escalations, though their implementation remains uncertain as of May 14, 2025.
The following table summarizes the key details of the recent sanctions packages:
Package
Date Adopted
Key Measures
16th
February 24, 2025
Targeted 74 vessels, 53 companies, new listing criteria for unsafe oil tankers
17th
May 14, 2025
Added ~60 individuals/entities, over 100 vessels (shadow fleet), Sakhalin-2 exemption extended
Key Citations

European Union countries have agreed to impose a new raft of sanctions against Russia, including those targeting nearly 200 ships in the so-called shadow fleet used to circumvent restrictions on oil and gas exports.

The new round of sanctions, set to be adopted next week, comes as Moscow and Kyiv may hold their first peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday.

The wide-ranging 17th package of sanctions is expected to see 189 ships blacklisted, bringing the total list to some 340, mostly aged tankers.

“I welcome the agreement on our 17th sanctions package against Russia,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X, adding: “This war has to end. We will keep the pressure high on the Kremlin.”

The new set of steps further includes restrictions on 30 companies involved in the trade of dual-use goods, while 75 individuals and entities will be listed for their links to Russia’s military-industrial complex.

The measures also target Russia’s hybrid operations, including propaganda outlets or vessels and entities involved in the sabotage of underwater cables, airports, or servers.

Last week, the UK unleashed its biggest sanctions package on the shadow fleet, targeting around 100 more tankers, after previously blacklisting around 130 vessels linked to Russian oil trade.

Source: Splash247.com

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