Furthermore, European companies cannot trade with ships carrying Russian oil purchased for more than $60 per barrel. The objective being of course to hit Moscow in the wallet. To circumvent the measure, however, Russian leaders are resorting to a ghost fleet: unregistered, unauthorized ships not visible on radar, carrying prohibited goods (oil, weapons, stolen grain, etc.). Twenty-seven of these vessels had already been identified and sanctioned. On Monday, fifty-two others were blacklisted, which de facto prohibits them from anchoring in European ports and doing business with companies from the EU.
The Russian “ghost” fleet must challenge the EU: “It’s a bit of a game of cat and mouse”
Six Chinese companies blacklisted
Fifty-four individuals and thirty companies found guilty of carrying out activities contrary to respect for the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine are also on the list. Their assets were frozen and the travel of the individuals concerned prohibited within the EU. These are essentially Russian structures active in the manufacturing of drones, electronic systems or other components intended for the army, as well as executives from the energy sector.
For the very first time in two and a half years, the European Union has also adopted measures against a Chinese national and six companies, having, among other things, delivered electronic components to the Russian military industry. Two North Korean nationals as well as companies based in Iran, India, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates are also targeted.
Another novelty, a package of separate measures has finally been adopted to sanction the individuals and organizations responsible for having carried out destabilization operations in Europe, orchestrated from Russia. This concerns in particular “GRU Unit 29155”, a secret unit of Russian military intelligence, known for its involvement in assassinations, bombings, cyberattacks and other destabilizing actions abroad.
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