The press notes that no EU member nation has raised a strong objection to tightening sanctions on Russia’s energy sector. Policy reports this insight based on conversations with European diplomats.
Currently, there is little resistance to expanding the existing energy embargoes, even from states that have benefited from Russia’s opaque oil flows, according to three individuals familiar with the talks.
On May 11, representatives from EU member states gathered to discuss technical aspects of the 11th sanctions package aimed at Russia.
This package stands apart from its predecessors because it emphasizes strategic shifts and will have a distinct impact, so negotiators are not rushing to accept every proposal.
The expectation is that the new measures will reinforce previous restrictions to curb the entry of Russian oil into EU markets by sea. Adoption will require unanimous approval from all 27 EU members.
New restrictions
Politico had access to an early draft of the European Commission’s proposed sanctions. The draft reportedly bars vessels carrying Russian oil from docking at European ports.
The document cites a surge in fraudulent activity and environmental risks associated with ships conveying Russian oil and refined products, which aim to skirt current limits. The new rules would bar ships suspected of violating the oil import ban from entering EU ports, even if they operate under flags of convenience.
Citing analysis from S&P Global, the report notes that Russia often relies on third-country tankers to transport its crude, with a large portion of that fleet linked to Greece. The draft enforcement measures indicate some ships have disabled their transponders or GPS to avoid detection. If the rules pass, shipowners could face fines for turning off tracking devices.
A senior official from the European Commission spoke to the press privately and suggested that tightening the regime would face limited contention among member states.
In contrast, George Voloshin, a sanctions expert with the Association of Certified Money Laundering Professionals, argues that the true test will be in how the rules are carried out, not merely in their formal approval. He notes that EU enforcement to date has been uneven and that Mediterranean countries accused of weak compliance will need to take more concrete steps than simply endorsing new guidelines in Brussels.
Politico frames the measures as part of a broader package that could extend to third countries increasing trade with Moscow, including positions held by China and Iran. The EU is also pursuing stronger effects from its sanctions by expanding their scope and tightening enforcement mechanisms.
Work on the next sanctions package has continued since spring. The European Commission has stated its aim to close legal gaps that let sanctions be bypassed. Reports from EUobserver suggest that companies based in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Syria, and Uzbekistan that assist Russia in evading restrictions could be targeted. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has cautioned that the tightening will not be the final step in pressuring Moscow.
Earlier developments include the December 2022 policy that halted the sea transport of Russian oil to the EU and, in cooperation with Australia and G7 partners, established a price cap of $60 per barrel for shipping Russian crude. Similar caps apply to Russian refined products. European firms are barred from providing services for transporting Russian raw materials to third countries if the purchase price exceeds the cap.