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European Union ramps up sanctions against Russia

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16.12.2024

On Monday 16 December, the European Union adopted a new package of sanctions to make restrictive measures against Russia stricter and stronger, adding 84 individuals and entities to the list. 51 ships, mainly shadow fleet tankers, were added to the list of sanctions on ships. The 15th package of sanctions entered into force today.

"Estonia and the European Union continue to work towards making the sanctions as strict and effective as possible and ensure they affect the sectors that Russia relies on the most in financing its aggression against Ukraine," Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said, adding that the new package contained many proposals by Estonia.

Tsahkna underlined that the cost of the war must be raised for Russia for as long as necessary and discussions on a new, 16th package of sanctions have already begun. "Estonia and the EU will not stop before Ukraine has won this war and Russia and its leadership have been held accountable for their actions," he said. "We will continue until the Kremlin gets the message. We are expecting additional robust economic sanctions."

The 15th package of sanctions targets circumventors of sanctions, companies linked to Russia's military industry and energy sector, and soldiers responsible for the attack on Kyiv's children's hospital. North Korea's Defence Minister and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission were also sanctioned.

51 ships were added to the list of sanctioned ships, mainly oil tankers of the shadow fleet but also ships that have been used to transport grain stolen from Ukraine. The ships are banned from entering European Union ports and providing services to these ships is prohibited.

The list of companies linked to military end-users and the circumvention of sanctions will increase by 32 companies (mainly companies from Russia, but also Serbia, Iran, Hong Kong, China, India, and United Arab Emirates).

Nearly 2400 individuals and entities have been sanctioned by now for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, the European Union has continued to impose stricter sanctions against Russia. Fifteen sanctions packages have been imposed so far, aimed at raising the cost of the aggression for Russia and, with other foreign policy measures, pressure Russia into ending its aggression in Ukraine.

Tsahkna said that exports of fossil fuels constituted Russia's greatest source of revenue. "Coal, crude oil and oil products carried by sea have already been sanctioned but imports of gas and shipments of oil to the European Union via pipelines continue," he said. "We must continue limiting imports of Russia's energy carriers."