Permanent representatives of EU member states on 10 December agreed to impose new sanctions against Russia, reports Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Free Europe's Europe editor.
The restrictions will target 9 individuals and companies that facilitate Russia's shadow fleet operations. EU ambassadors also approved adding 43 vessels from Russia's shadow fleet to the blacklist.
The measures include sanctions against 12 individuals and 2 organizations accused of destabilizing the EU. Among those designated are Russian military intelligence officers, members of the Valdai Club, and citizens of the United States, France, and Switzerland working on behalf of Russia.
The agreement comes as the EU continues its sustained pressure campaign against Moscow's war economy. According to a diplomatic source quoted by TASS, this marks the first time EU representatives have agreed on anti-Russian sanctions outside the framework of main sanction packages since the start of the war.
EU foreign ministers are expected to formally approve these measures at their meeting in Brussels on December 15, after which the sanctions will enter into force.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot previously stated the EU aims to finalize its 20th sanctions package against Russia by the end of 2025. According to Financial Times reports, the European Union is also working to pass special legislation to indefinitely block Russian assets.
The EU has been systematically expanding its sanctions lists targeting Russia's shadow fleet throughout 2025. The 17th sanctions package adopted in May added 189 vessels to the blacklist, bringing the total to 342 at that time. The 19th package, approved in October, added another 117 vessels, raising the total number of designated shadow fleet vessels to 557.
