The European Commission has completed preparations for the 17th sanctions package against Russia, aimed at increasing pressure on the aggressor country and countering its attempts to circumvent established restrictions
According to Reuters, this initiative has already been drafted and will soon be presented for consideration at an upcoming meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council scheduled for May 2025. Sources cited by "European Pravda" indicate that the new agenda will include a significant expansion of the list of sanctioned individuals and companies involved in supporting Russian military activities, including through sanctions evasion. The package also proposes measures to enhance control over the export of dual-use goods and advanced technologies that could be used for military purposes. Diplomatic sources have also reported that over 50 individuals and entities from various countries will be targeted, including five from China. Additionally, the list will include 31 companies assisting Russian military forces or involved in circumventing previously imposed sanctions. Particular attention is given to combating what is called Russia’s "shadow fleet"—the package proposes to add over 100 vessels to the blacklist, related to illegal activities in the maritime sector. Another important aspect of the document is the suggestion to extend sanctions exemptions for the Sakhalin-2 project, one of Russia's key Russian-Japanese oil ventures. The European Commission insists that restrictions should remain in place at least until June 2026 due to the strategic importance of this project for Japan. According to sources, the draft package also includes formal justifications and diplomatic arguments aimed at demonstrating to EU member states’ authorities that "membership in the European Union" remains the primary tool in efforts to coordinate actions to counter Russian aggression. In this context, emphasis is placed on the necessity of showing that a united Europe can act collectively and make decisions even when individual countries, such as Hungary, indicate intentions to exercise their veto rights. Traditionally, within the context of escalating sanctions policy, the issue of coordination with international partners—primarily the United States of America—receives the most attention. It is noted that the new sanctions package should be presented in close cooperation with Washington, highlighting the importance of global collaboration in responding to Russian aggression. Earlier, media reports indicated that the 17th sanctions package would be one of the main topics for discussion at the upcoming EU Council meeting scheduled for May 2025. Key European diplomats and foreign ministers emphasize the ongoing need to intensify the international isolation of Russia and send a clear signal that its aggressive policies are unacceptable. Thus, the new sanctions package is not only another legal initiative but also a symbol of the European Union’s unity in opposing Russian aggression, assuming responsibility for maintaining stability and security in the region, and increasing pressure on the Kremlin to persuade it to change its aggressive policies.