EU Sanctions Russia⁤ Over “Ghost⁣ Fleet” Oil Tankers

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on tuesday imposed a 17th ‍round of sanctions against ‍Russia, targeting a fleet of oil tankers allegedly used to circumvent existing restrictions on Russian oil exports. Kaja Kallas, head of European diplomacy, announced the new measures.

“The EU approved‍ it’s seventeenth pack of⁣ sanctions against Russia,which aims at nearly 200 ships‍ in its ghost fleet,” Kallas wrote on X,formerly Twitter,during a meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels. “Other sanctions ⁤against Russia are in preparation. The more Russia waged war, the more severe our response,” she added.

The package, under discussion for several weeks, specifically targets 189 ships and ⁢approximately 30 entities suspected of aiding Russia in evading previously implemented‍ sanctions. According to ‍a press release from the EU, a total of 342 ships are now subject to sanctions.

Estonian defense Minister Hanno Pevkur estimated the number of sanctioned ships on Tuesday, suggesting the EU coudl further expand its sanctions. Negotiations for an 18th⁢ set of measures are already underway. These measures are separate from those being considered should Moscow reject a 30-day ceasefire in ukraine, as demanded by Ukraine‘s Western allies.

In a related move, the EU also adopted sanctions on Tuesday in ⁢response to alleged “hybrid” attacks attributed to Russia. These measures, which include asset freezes⁤ and travel bans within the EU, target 21 individuals and six entities.

# EU Sanctions Russia Over ⁣”Ghost Fleet” Oil Tankers: A Q&A Guide

## Introduction

This article breaks down the recent European Union sanctions against Russia, focusing on the “ghost fleet” of ⁢oil tankers. We’ll ⁢explore the key aspects of these measures, the reasoning behind them, and thier potential⁣ impact. All information is based on⁣ the ⁤provided source material.

##⁣ Key ⁣Questions & Answers

### What‍ is ⁢the ‍European Union’s⁣ “Ghost Fleet” ⁤Sanction?

The European Union (EU) imposed its ⁣17th round of sanctions against Russia, specifically targeting a fleet of oil tankers.‍ These tankers are allegedly being used to circumvent existing restrictions on Russian oil exports.

### What is the primary aim⁤ of these sanctions?

The ⁤primary aim⁣ is to hinder Russia’s ability to profit from oil exports, which are a significant source of revenue, and to⁣ prevent the ‍circumvention of existing sanctions.

### Who announced the new sanctions?

Kaja Kallas, the head of ⁤European diplomacy, announced‍ the new⁤ measures.

### How⁤ many ships are targeted in this round of sanctions?

The sanctions package specifically targets 189⁢ ships, though a total of 342 ships are now subject to sanctions.

### What is the “ghost fleet” and why is it being targeted?

The “ghost fleet” refers to a group of oil tankers ⁤suspected ⁢of being used to transport Russian oil ⁣in a manner that avoids existing sanctions. This includes practices like ship-to-ship transfers or obscuring ‍the origin of the oil. By targeting these‍ tankers,the EU aims to ‍restrict Russia’s access to oil revenue.

### What other entities,besides ‍ships,are being‍ sanctioned?

Approximately 30 entities suspected ⁤of aiding Russia in evading previously implemented sanctions are also targeted.

### Are further sanctions being considered?

Yes, ⁣further sanctions ⁤are in planning. Estonian defense Minister Hanno Pevkur estimated the EU coudl further ⁤expand its sanctions.Negotiations for an 18th set of measures are already underway.

### Are these ⁢sanctions ⁢related to any other specific actions by Russia?

Yes, the EU also adopted sanctions in response to alleged “hybrid” attacks attributed to Russia. These actions include asset freezes and ‍travel bans within the EU, targeting 21 individuals and six entities.

### How do⁣ these sanctions ⁣relate to the situation in Ukraine?

The⁢ latest sanctions are ‍separate⁢ from measures being considered ‍should Moscow reject ⁤a ⁣30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, as demanded by Ukraine’s Western ⁣allies.

### What ⁤kind ‍of measures are these new sanctions?

The measures including asset freezes and travel ⁢bans within the EU.

### What are the main effects of the sanctions?

The aim is‍ to decrease the revenue Russia receives⁤ for funding the ⁣war.

## Summary of⁢ Sanctions

Here’s a breakdown⁣ of the key targets of the EU’s recent sanctions:

Target	Number	Description
Ships	189	Specifically targeted oil tankers suspected of‍ circumventing sanctions.
Entities	Approx. 30	Entities suspected of aiding Russia in evading sanctions.
Individuals	21	Individuals subject to asset freezes and travel⁣ bans within the EU.
Entities (Hybrid⁤ Attacks)	6	Entities subject to asset freezes and travel bans within the EU.

## Conclusion

The EU’s ongoing sanctions against Russia,especially those focusing on the “ghost fleet,” demonstrate a commitment⁢ to restricting Russia’s ability to finance its war. This is‍ achieved through carefully targeted measures, and is⁤ a continuous process, as the EU continues working toward a peaceful resolution.