The European Commission plans to propose that the EU impose new sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet." This fleet is used by Russia to export oil bypassing restrictions. The EC believes this will increase pressure on the Kremlin amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The proposed sanctions may affect 60 individuals and legal entities, as well as 150 ships related to Russia's "shadow fleet." This would bring the total number of tankers under restrictions to over 300. Foreign ministers of the European Union will discuss this proposal at a meeting in Brussels on May 20.
In March, the EU extended sanctions against 2,400 individuals and companies from the Russian Federation for another six months, until September 15. The decision to extend the sanctions was made in response to Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.