(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, MAY 14 - The EU on Wednesday approved
a fresh package of sanctions on Russia, clamping down on its
"shadow" oil fleet, as Europe threatens further punishment if
Moscow does not agree to a Ukraine truce. The new measures
against the Kremlin -- the 17th round of sanctions from the EU
since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- were in
the pipeline before European leaders issued their latest
ultimatum to Moscow over US-led peace efforts. Diplomats
representing the EU's 27 member states approved the package at a
meeting in Brussels, according to the Polish presidency of the
bloc. The package -- set to be formally adopted on Tuesday --
includes blacklisting some 200 oil tankers used to circumvent
curbs on Russian oil exports. Companies in countries including
Vietnam, Serbia and Turkey accused of helping supply goods to
the Russian military are also set to face restrictions. Dozens
of Russian officials are to be added to the nearly 2,400 people
and entities already facing visa bans and asset freezes. The
package also brings sanctions on Russian individuals over
cyberattacks, human rights abuses and sabotage in Europe.
Officials admit that the latest round of sanctions against
Moscow are relatively limited compared to previous packages as
the EU finds it more difficult to agree targets. Further to
these measures, EU leaders have threatened Russia with "massive
sanctions" if it doesn't agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposal
backed by the United States. (ANSA-AFP).
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