Latest news with #G7-imposed
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
From weapons and oil to financial institutions: UK hits Russia with 100 sanctions as Trump-Putin call yields no progress
The United Kingdom has announced a sweeping package of 100 new sanctions against Russia, just a day after a high-stakes phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on a ceasefire in Ukraine. With Moscow showing no signs of de-escalation, Britain and its European allies are ramping up economic pressure in a bid to curtail Russia The latest measures include restrictions on the supply chain of Russia's military, particularly weapons systems such as the Iskander missile, which the UK says has been used indiscriminately against civilian areas in Ukraine. The UK has also sanctioned 14 additional members of the Kremlin-linked Social Design Agency (SDA), a key player in Russian disinformation campaigns. Senior SDA figures had previously been targeted in an earlier sanctions round. In a move to further cripple Russia's economic resilience, 46 financial institutions accused of helping Moscow evade previous sanctions have been added to the blacklist. The St Petersburg Currency Exchange and the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency are among those now subject to restrictions. The UK also turned its attention to the so-called 'shadow fleet' — tankers used to bypass the G7-imposed $60 per barrel oil price cap. Eighteen more ships used to transport Russian oil covertly have been sanctioned in an effort to choke off one of the Kremlin's key revenue streams. With Washington yet to act, European leaders pressed ahead. 'We have repeatedly made it clear that we expect one thing from Russia — an immediate ceasefire without preconditions,' said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Brussels. As Russia rejected that demand, Wadephul warned: 'We will have to react. We also expect our U.S. allies not to tolerate this.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed a further sanctions package is in the works. 'It's time to intensify the pressure on Russia to bring about the ceasefire,' she posted on X. The lack of immediate US sanctions following the Trump-Putin call has irritated European allies. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot declared: 'Let us push Vladimir Putin to put an end to his imperialist fantasy.' Trump, who has repeatedly promised to end the war in 24 hours if reelected, portrayed his two-hour call with Putin as progress, saying Russia and Ukraine are ready to negotiate. But officials in Kyiv and Brussels disagree. This new sanctions package is part of a broader effort by the UK and its allies to increase the cost of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year. The move comes as European nations push for stronger international unity on the issue, amid frustration over the limited response so far from the United States. 'We urge [Putin] to agree a full, unconditional ceasefire right away so there can be talks on a just and lasting peace,' Britain's Foreign Minister David Lammy said, while calling the Russian leader a 'warmonger.' Russia, for its part, rejected the new wave of pressure. 'Russia will never bow to ultimatums,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, reiterating that Moscow is willing to continue talks based on its own terms. Russia has stated that the 'ball is in Kyiv's court,' but Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders remain wary, accusing Moscow of using diplomacy to delay while continuing its attacks.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU agrees on 17th package of Russia sanctions, source says
The EU on May 14 agreed on its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, a senior EU official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Kyiv Independent. The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, and 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex. Russia has been using the shadow fleet to avoid Western sanctions and ship out its oil above the G7-imposed price cap. European countries have also linked the fleet to espionage and sabotage operations. The new set of steps further includes measures targeting Russia's hybrid operations, namely establishing the legal basis for countering propaganda outlets or vessels and entities involved in the sabotage of underwater cables, airports, or servers. "So, you can see the direction we are going. In addition to 'traditional' sectoral and individual sanctions, we are broadening and more actively using other sanctions to hit Russia where we see the threats or where they aim to bypass the existing sanctions," the source said. The EU will also sanction more than 20 entities and individuals disseminating disinformation, and 20 judges and prosecutors involved in legal cases against two Russian oppositionists, Vladimir Kara-Murza and late Alexei Navalny. Brussels is further imposing a ban on chemicals used in missile production. Talks on the 17th package began shortly after the EU adopted the 16th package on Feb. 24. The last package targeted the shadow fleet, financial institutions, entities involved in the Russian military-industrial complex, and more. President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland have pledged to impose additional sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin does not accept their proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Read also: Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as pro and anti-Ukraine candidate are neck-and-neck We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU to unveil new sanctions against Russia on May 14, source says
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity. The European bloc has previously announced 16 separate sanctions packages since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. The measures have targeted individuals, companies, and state institutions involved in supporting Russia's war machine in Ukraine. Details of the 17th package remain unclear, though earlier reporting suggested it could include measures aimed at Russia's military-industrial complex, Moscow's shadow shipping fleet, and related support networks. Russia has been using the shadow fleet to avoid Western sanctions and ship out its oil above the G7-imposed price cap. European countries have also linked the fleet to espionage and sabotage operations. Talks on the 17th package began shortly after the EU adopted the 16th package on Feb. 24. The last package also targeted Russia's shadow fleet of tankers, financial institutions, entities involved in the Russian military-industrial complex, and more. The U.K. hit the shadow fleet with its largest sanctions package yet on May 9, targeting 101 vessels. President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland also agreed to impose additional sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin does not accept their proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Read also: Ukraine's intelligence identifies captain of Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
