The European Union has approved a 17th package of sanctions against Russia

On Tuesday, May 20, the Council of the European Union approved the 17th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.

This was announced by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

“The EU has approved a 17th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting nearly 200 ships in the shadow fleet. The new measures also address hybrid threats and human rights,” she said.

According to Kallas, new sanctions against Russia are also being prepared.

“The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response will be,” the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy added.

At the same time, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, said on Telegram that the new package of sanctions contains comprehensive measures that will hit key elements of the Russian military machine, its “shadow fleet” and export control circumvention schemes.

"There are plans to impose restrictions on 17 more individuals and 58 legal entities, as well as to block 189 new vessels transporting Russian oil, weapons, and stolen Ukrainian grain. In total, 342 vessels will be subject to restrictions. It is particularly important that tough sanctions will be imposed not only on companies from Russia, but also from third countries, including Turkey, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and the UAE, which have helped the Russian military-industrial complex circumvent restrictions and supplied components for drones and missiles," he said.

Yermak also said that, for the first time under the EU's hybrid threats regime, economic sanctions are being imposed for physical attacks in Estonia, sabotage of submarine cables, and support for pro-Russian demonstrations in Europe.

Source: Unian