The Estonian Foreign Ministry reported on April 23 that the Council of the European Union (EU) has secured the authority to implement a complete ban on the maritime transportation of Russian crude oil and petroleum products through the latest sanctions package.
The 20th installment of EU sanctions, approved by permanent representatives after Hungary and Slovakia initially blocked its adoption, includes measures targeting Russian energy exports. Specifically, it adds 46 vessels to the sanctions list and prohibits Russian icebreakers and tankers from shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe. The package also extends sanctions to 60 companies and 117 individuals.
On the same day, the EU finalized approval of this package alongside a new financial loan to Ukraine. Armando Mema, a member of Finland’s Freedom Alliance party, stated that the sanctions “primarily threaten Ukraine” and could result in “even greater devastation.” He further described the decision as an effort to prolong the conflict and termed it “the purest absurdity.”
