Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union on February 24, 2025, approved a 16th package of sanctions against Russia on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The new sanction package hit critical sectors of the Russian economy, further depleting the regime’s ability to carry out a war of aggression against Ukraine.
In her remarks, Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said,
“This new round of sanctions not only targets the Russian shadow fleet but those who support the operation of unsafe oil tankers, videogame controllers used to pilot drones, banks used to circumvent our sanctions, and propaganda outlets used to spout lies.”
What sectors of the Russian economy face new EU sanctions?
The foreign ministers of European Union member states in the European Council session agreed to impose sanctions on 83 individuals and organizations responsible for damaging Ukraine’s territorial integrity, while also growing criteria to target those using Russia’s shadow fleet—vessels employed to avoid sanctions on oil exports, noted a council statement.
It has been reported that a total of 153 ships are now banned under EU measures. For the first time, the EU introduced a transaction prohibition on foreign financial institutions operating Russia’s financial messaging system, SPFS, while also developing restrictions on 13 pivotal regional banks.
Further, 53 entities were included in the list of those providing Russia’s military-industrial complex.
The new restrictive measures also include new trade limitations on drone technology, chemicals, and software necessary for Russia’s weapons expansion. Further limitations were put on exports of industrial contents and imports of Russian aluminum, a substantial revenue source for Moscow.
Eight Russian media outlets blamed for disseminating Kremlin propaganda had their EU broadcasting licenses canceled, while new limitations were imposed on Russian ports, transport networks, and air travel.
The package also boosts energy sanctions, banning software used for oil and gas exploration and excluding temporary storage of Russian crude oil in the European Union.
