EU adopts 17th sanctions package against Russia, 18th in the works
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On Tuesday, May 20, the Council of the European Union adopted its 17th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation in response to its full-scale aggression against Ukraine.

"The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships.New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights.More sanctions on Russia are in the works.The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response," wrote Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on social network X.

The total number of sanctioned vessels — used to transport Russian oil, weapons, and stolen Ukrainian grain — has now increased to 342, according to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak.

"We welcome this step. Sanctions pressure must be consistent, tough, and global. We cannot allow the aggressor to build a wartime economy by circumventing the democratic world," Yermak said via his Telegram channel.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, stated that the new package also targets 17 individuals and 58 legal entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex.

The measures further tighten export controls on dual-use goods and technologies.

These sanctions are separate from the "large-scale" measures that the EU has said it will consider if Moscow refuses to negotiate with Ukraine or rejects a proposed 30-day ceasefire.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the upcoming 18th sanctions package under consideration includes restrictions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, a lower price cap on Russian oil, and further measures targeting Russia’s financial sector.

  • The EU's previous, 16th package of sanctions was adopted on February 24, 2025 — marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
  • In early May, Ukraine called for stronger oil-related sanctions against Russia amid falling global prices.
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