New Sanctions
On Wednesday, the British government announced a new set of sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers, a fleet used by Moscow to circumvent Western oil export restrictions imposed following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This action represents the latest effort by the U.K. to tighten its economic pressure on Russia and disrupt critical revenue sources that fund the Kremlin’s military operations.
The sanctions were unveiled as Foreign Minister David Lammy embarked on a rare joint diplomatic visit to Kyiv with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The timing of this announcement underscores the coordinated efforts between the U.K. and the U.S. to address the ongoing conflict and exert pressure on Russia.
This latest round of sanctions marks the third time the U.K. has targeted Russia’s shadow fleet. The Foreign Office revealed that the new restrictions affect ten ships identified as “high-volume offenders” in evading sanctions.
These vessels are now barred from entering U.K. ports and will be denied access to the British Ship Register. With these measures, the total number of sanctioned ships has risen to 25, reflecting a sustained commitment to undermining Russia’s ability to trade oil through these illicit channels.
Foreign Minister David Lammy emphasized that these sanctions are designed to further weaken Russia’s capacity to trade oil via its shadow fleet. “Today’s sanctions further undermine Russia’s ability to trade in oil via its shadow fleet,” Lammy stated.
“Alongside our partners, we will continue to send a stark message to Russia that the international community stands with Ukraine and we will not tolerate this illicit fleet.”
In Kyiv, Lammy and Blinken are expected to address several critical issues, including the potential easing of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles.
This discussion follows recent statements by U.S. President Joe Biden, who indicated that Washington is considering lifting some restrictions on the weapons supplied to Ukraine.
The potential policy shift aims to bolster Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities as the conflict continues.
The latest sanctions and diplomatic efforts reflect a broader international strategy to support Ukraine and pressure Russia.
The coordinated actions by the U.K. and U.S. highlight their commitment to countering Russia’s aggressive maneuvers and supporting Ukraine in its fight against foreign aggression.
