The European Commission is preparing to present its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting key economic sectors and maritime operations.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the Euractiv portal, that the European Commission plans to present the 20th sanctions package to European Union ambassadors on February 4. According to European officials, the measures were initially expected to be announced on February 3. The proposed package is expected to include a total ban on maritime services for Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," stricter restrictions on the export of luxury goods, and additional limitations on the import of Russian fertilizers.
On February 2, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the implementation of this 20th round of sanctions against Russia. She emphasized that Europe's support for Ukraine remains steadfast "day after day, year after year." Additionally, Bloomberg reports that the EU plans to prohibit the purchase of copper, platinum, iridium, and rhodium from Russia as part of the new restrictive measures.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Union has systematically increased economic pressure on Moscow through successive rounds of sanctions. These measures aim to diminish Russia's ability to finance its military operations by targeting the energy sector, financial institutions, and trade. The focus on the "shadow fleet" in this latest package represents a strategic effort to curb the circumvention of oil price caps and ensure more effective enforcement of existing maritime regulations.
