As the European Union continues to tighten its grip on Russian economic activities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, significant disagreements have surfaced among member states regarding proposed sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet." This fleet is reportedly comprised of semi-legal oil tankers that are part of Russia's strategic efforts to circumvent previous sanctions.
In a recent development, it has come to light that during a meeting of EU ambassadors, a draft of the 14th package of sanctions against Russia was discussed. This new package includes, for the first time, measures targeting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking a significant escalation in the EU's sanctions regime. One of the participants described this move as a "step forward" in the EU's efforts to counter Russian aggression.
However, not all members are in agreement regarding the scope and severity of these sanctions. There are no ideological standoffs or uncompromising red lines, but the extent of the measures remains a point of contention. The primary concern among dissenting countries is the proposed tightening of sanctions against tankers that transport Russian crude oil with unverified insurance and opaque ownership structures.
Countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Malta have voiced their opposition to these measures. They argue that stricter sanctions on shipping would only push operators to adopt even more opaque methods to conceal their fleets, potentially leading to a major maritime disaster. This, they claim, would ultimately harm the entire shipping industry.
The proposed sanctions package also includes individual sanctions against over 100 people involved in the deportation of Ukrainians from occupied territories and in arms production. Additionally, measures aimed at closing loopholes in existing sanctions are part of the proposal.
Furthermore, the EU is reportedly preparing to tighten sanctions against Belarus as a means to close another loophole that has allowed Moscow to import luxury cars and other Western goods previously banned under earlier sanctions.
This development follows a statement by European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis in April, confirming that the EU had begun preparing the next, fourteenth package of sanctions against Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission has circulated the draft proposal to EU countries, signaling a continued commitment to using economic measures as a way to respond to the crisis in Ukraine.
As the situation evolves, the EU's strategy of economic sanctions continues to be both a tool of pressure and a source of internal debate among its member states. The balance between effective sanctions and the economic interests of individual member states remains a delicate and ongoing negotiation.
