The EU just unanimously passed its 16th sanctions package against Russia:
1. Ban on Russian primary aluminium imports
2. 73 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet added the EU’s blacklist, bringing the total to 152 ships.
Most of them are oil tankers used to circumvent the G7 oil price cap and support Moscow’s war efforts. The package also bans transactions with Russian ports and airports involved in evading the oil price cap and strengthens criteria to sanction vessel owners, operators, and even captains.
3. Export restrictions on key goods that could bolster Russia’s manufacturing and military capabilities.
These include chromium and certain chemicals (like precursors used in CNC machines for precision manufacturing), as well as video game consoles, joysticks, and flight simulators, which Russia has reportedly repurposed for military use, such as controlling drones.
4. Sanctions on individuals and entities
The package adds 48 individuals and 35 entities to the EU’s sanctions list, subjecting them to asset freezes and travel bans. Additionally, 53 new entities face a transaction ban related to high-priority goods sales to Russia, focusing on those tied to the military-industrial complex.
5. Media and banking measures
Broadcasting licenses for 8 Russian media outlets have been suspended to counter propaganda. 13 additional Russian banks excluded from the SWIFT financial messaging system, further isolating them from global finance.
6. Oil and gas refinery service ban
A prohibition on servicing Russian oil and gas refineries has been introduced to limit Russia’s energy infrastructure maintenance capabilities.