EU adopts 16th sanctions package against Russia on third anniversary of full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Sweden has pushed for stronger measures against vessels in the Russian shadow fleet, such as the ban on temporarily storing Russian oil in EU ports that is now being introduced. Together with other Member States, Sweden has encouraged the EU to adopt measures against the Russian energy (including natural gas), trade and financial sectors, the circumvention of sanctions and third-country support for Russia’s war effort.

“By adopting a 16th sanctions package against Russia today – 24 February, three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine – we are sending a very important signal that we are continuing to turn up the pressure on Russia. The package includes strong measures to ensure that the sanctions have a farther-reaching, harsher impact on the Russian economy,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.

Sanctions are one of the primary tools to counteract Russia’s aggression and support Ukraine by constraining the Russian State’s revenues and military capability.

The new sanctions package targets 74 additional vessels, 53 entities that support Russia’s military-industrial complex and 83 additional listings of individuals and entities that threaten or undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.