EU adopts 15th sanctions package against Russia for its continued illegal war against Ukraine, 16 December 2024

...The 15th package contains these key elements:

Anti‑circumvention measures

As Russia continues to look for ways to evade the oil price cap, the EU is determined to strengthen measures to help prevent such evasion. Today's package targets 52 new vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, increasing the total number of such listings to 79. These vessels (non‑EU) are subject to a port access ban and a ban on provision of services. These ships have been found to be engaged in high‑risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or petroleum products, in arms deliveries, grain theft, or supporting the Russian energy sector...

Additional listings

Today's package includes 84 additional listings, including 54 individuals and 30 entities, responsible for actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. They are now subject to asset freezes, and – in the case of individuals – also to travel bans. Listings primarily affect Russian military companies that manufacture aircraft parts, drones, electronics, engines, high‑tech components for weapons, and other military equipment. The listings also target a number of senior managers in companies active in the Russian energy sector (including shipping companies), providing important revenues to the Russian government.

The EU is also sanctioning the military unit responsible for the striking of the Okhmadyt children hospital in Kyiv as well as individuals responsible for children deportation and propaganda

For the first time since the start of Russia's invasion, the EU has adopted ‘fully‑fledged listings' (i.e. a travel ban, an asset freeze and a prohibition to make funds available) on seven Chinese persons and entities, namely one individual and two entities facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions, and four entities supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic component to the Russian military industry in support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine...

Trade

This package also adds 32 new companies to the list of those supporting Russia's military and industrial complex in its war against Ukraine (20 Russian firms, seven under Chinese/Hong Kong jurisdiction, two from Serbia, and one each from Iran, India and United Arab Emirates Emirates). Stricter export restrictions with respect to dual‑use goods and technology, and advanced technology items, will now apply to them...