EU Slaps New Sanctions on Russia Over War on Ukraine

The European Union has imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting its shadow fleet of tankers moving liquefied natural gas through Europe and several companies. The EU foreign ministers also agreed to provide new financial support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's aggression. Some expressed concern about a rise in hybrid attacks by Russia, including allegations of election interference, cyber-attacks, and sabotage.

Key Takeaways:

• The EU estimates that about 4-to-6 billion cubic meters (141 billion-212 billion cubic feet) of Russian LNG was shipped to third countries via EU ports last year.
• Russia is suspected of running a "ghost fleet" of up to 400 ships to evade sanctions and keep up the flow of energy earnings, estimated to be around 210 billion euros ($225 billion) worth of Russian Central Bank assets blocked in the EU.
• Scores of new "entities" were added to the EU's list, including some in China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, accused of circumventing the bloc's sanctions or providing sensitive equipment to Russia.
• More than 50 officials are being targeted with asset freezes, as well as travel bans, and over 1,700 people are already listed by the EU.
• The EU will provide Ukraine with 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in July and a further 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) by the end of the year, to boost its stocks of air defense equipment and ammunition.
• Finland has closed border crossings with Russia, blaming the Kremlin for an orchestrated campaign exploiting migrants, and Lithuania's foreign minister said there is "ample evidence" of malign activity by Russia.

Statistics:

• 4-to-6 billion cubic meters (141 billion-212 billion cubic feet) of Russian LNG shipped to third countries via EU ports last year
• 210 billion euros ($225 billion) worth of Russian Central Bank assets blocked in the EU
• 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to be provided to Ukraine in July
• 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to be provided to Ukraine by the end of the year
• Over 1,700 people listed by the EU
• Over 400 entities previously hit, including companies working in the military, aviation, shipbuilding, and machinery sectors
• Scores of new "entities" added to the EU's list, including some in China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates

Sources:

• The European Union
• The Associated Press
• Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen
• Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis
• NATO
• EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell