EU Approves 15th Sanctions Package to Counter Russia’s Aggression in Ukraine

On 16th December 2024, the European Union (EU) approved a “15th package of individual & economic restrictive measures” to limit Russia’s ability to wage war against Ukraine.

The new sanctions will target Putin’s “shadow fleet” and weaken Russia’s industrial & military complex by addressing the circumvention of EU sanctions.

The EU took several steps against different Chinese actors for the first time by imposing “fully-fledged” sanctions such as economic restrictions, travel bans & asset freezes.

According to a press release, the EU also imposed several measures on the Russian military unit that is responsible for the missile attack on the “Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital” in Kyiv last July.

Additional sanctions are imposed on individuals responsible for propaganda, Ukraine child deportations to Russia & those people who didn’t follow previous EU restrictions.

These EU sanctions target both entity listings & substantial individuals associated with the Russian industrial military complex, stated a press release.

EU Sanctioned Entities & Individuals

EU sanctioned 84 listings, including 30 entities & 54 individuals that are involved in the Russian-Ukraine war and responsible for deteriorating Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The latest sanctions package also includes measures against Russian shipping & defense companies involved in the transportation of oil products & crude oil by sea. It’s considered a crucial source of revenue for the Russian government.

Further, a Russian civilian airline & chemical plant is also added to the sanction list because they provide logistics to the Russian military.

EU Crackdown on “Shadow Fleet”

The European Union has further tightened its grip on Russia, imposing new sanctions on 52 vessels and individuals linked to the country’s military-industrial complex. The sanctioned vessels, including those part of the “shadow fleet,” are involved in circumventing international sanctions and supporting Russia’s energy sector.

Additionally, some of these vessels have been used to transport military equipment and stolen Ukrainian grain. With this latest round of sanctions, the total number of sanctioned vessels now stands at 79.

The UK also imposed sanctions on 30 Russian vessels on 25 November 2024, which facilitated $4.3 billion in oil and gasoline trade.

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EU Restricts Trade with Designated Entities

EU has also expanded its sanction list by adding 32 new entities to the list that directly support Moscow’s industrial & military complex in the current war against Ukraine.

India, China, Serbia, Iran, and UAE are also included in the sanctioned list, and they will face export restrictions on goods & technologies, as well as items that can improve Russia’s security sector & defense system.

Some of these entities are involved in procuring sensitive items & violating current trade restrictions, including missiles and UAVs that are used in military operations in Russia.

This latest round of sanctions has the purpose of isolating Russia’s military and economy to prevent the flow of goods & technology that can be used in war.

On 23 August 2024, the U.S. sanctioned 42 Chinese companies and added them to the Entity list because they were supporting the Ukraine war.

We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military. There can be no doubt that Ukraine will win.”

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Steps Taken by the EU to Protect European Companies

The European Union has taken decisive action to safeguard its businesses from legal risks stemming from Russian court rulings.

The Council has issued a decision prohibiting the recognition or enforcement in the EU of judgments issued by Russian courts based on ‘Article 248 of the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation.

According to a press release, the EU has taken these steps to support Ukraine and to put pressure on Russia to stop illegal war.