Brussels: The European Union has reached a preliminary agreement on its 17th sanctions package against Russia, ramping up pressure over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The move comes amid international calls for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the White House and backed by a Western-led "Coalition of the Willing."
EU ambassadors finalized the sanctions agreement on Wednesday morning, with formal approval expected from EU foreign ministers next week. Notably, Hungary—previously a consistent opponent of EU sanctions—did not object this time. Diplomats described the discussions as relatively smooth, indicating the package may be narrower in scope.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed Brussels’ commitment to sustained pressure. “This war must end. We will maintain the pressure,” she stated.
A key focus of the new sanctions is Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a network of aging, uninsured vessels allegedly used to evade Western oil sanctions. These ships -claimed by European allies- have been implicated in concealing the origins of Russian oil through tactics such as turning off tracking systems and performing covert transfers at sea. Some are also under suspicion for targeting critical infrastructure.
With this latest package, the EU has now blacklisted 189 additional vessels, bringing the total to more than 350. These ships are barred from EU ports and denied maritime services.
In addition, the sanctions target 75 individuals and companies linked to Russia’s defense sector and more than 30 foreign entities—spanning countries like Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and the UAE—allegedly involved in supplying dual-use goods to Moscow. The package also includes a ban on EU chemical exports that could be used in missile production.
Despite the new measures, diplomatic progress remains elusive. The EU and its partners are already considering an 18th round of sanctions if Russia continues to reject the ceasefire plan.
A European Commission spokesperson confirmed further actions are on the table. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a late-night speech, highlighted Russia’s energy and financial sectors as potential next targets in close coordination with the United States.
The EU’s objective, Macron emphasized, is to achieve a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire—covering land, air, and sea—paving the way for talks on territorial issues and security arrangements.
Still, internal EU dynamics could complicate the path ahead. Although Hungary eventually backed this latest package, its past resistance has forced Brussels to explore mechanisms to override future vetoes and preserve sanctions unity.
“We are keeping all options open,” said Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy. “Unanimity has brought us this far, but we must be prepared for tougher decisions ahead.”
