The European Union and the United Kingdom have announced coordinated sanctions targeting Russia, aiming to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine as diplomatic momentum toward a ceasefire builds.
Both sanctions packages, unveiled Tuesday, target Russia’s so-called shadow fleet—oil tankers used to evade Western sanctions—with the EU blacklisting 189 vessels.
The UK’s measures also include restrictions on the supply chains behind Russian weapons systems like the Iskander missiles, Kremlin-backed disinformation networks, and financial institutions accused of helping Moscow bypass sanctions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed an 18th sanctions package is already in development, following the adoption of the 17th.
‘It’s time to intensify the pressure on Russia to bring about the ceasefire,’ she wrote on X after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reported from London that the EU and UK acted ‘in concert,’ unveiling the sanctions shortly after signing a new defense and security pact in London the previous day.
