In brief
The EU has approved a new set of sanctions aimed at Russia, focusing on covert oil exports to increase economic pressure and push for peace talks in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The European Union's foreign ministers have recently taken serious steps to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, introducing a new package targeting the covert oil exports that Moscow uses to sell its oil worldwide. This move, approved on May 20, 2025, is part of a sustained effort to elevate the economic strain on Russia, hoping that it would catalyze President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks regarding Ukraine.Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine back in 2022, the EU has enacted 17 rounds of sanctions, and this latest package specifically attacks Russia’s shadow fleet—older tankers used to obscurely transport oil. As discussions surrounding an 18th round of sanctions commence, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, indicated potential targets including gas pipelines and banking sectors. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s leading diplomat, emphasized that while the desire for peace must be mutual, exerting pressure on Russia is essential to create a conducive environment for negotiations. This development comes at a time of uncertainty regarding the United States' future Sanctions strategy following a recent call between President Trump and Putin, where a cease-fire demand was notably softened.
