President Zelenskyy’s team reveals who’s blocking 20th Russia sanctions package
Oil tanker (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The biggest dispute over the approval of the 20th sanctions package against Russia centers on a provision that would introduce a full ban on providing maritime services for transporting Russian oil and petroleum products. Two EU countries are blocking the adoption of this measure, states Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk.
According to him, Greece and Malta oppose the so-called Full Maritime Service Ban — a complete prohibition on providing maritime services for the transportation of Russian oil.
“And this is rather strange, because at the beginning of January, it looked like everyone agreed with this, including Greece and Malta. Now Greece and Malta have decided to play political games and do not want to let this package move forward with this provision included,” Vlasiuk said.
The presidential commissioner added that introducing this restriction would deprive Moscow of at least $17 billion in oil revenue by the end of the year.
According to Vlasiuk, that amount represents critical income for Russia amid mounting losses — money the Kremlin can hardly afford to lose.
Last year, Russia reportedly lost $24 billion in oil export revenue due to existing sanctions.
As previously reported, the EU failed to approve the 20th sanctions package against Russia ahead of schedule. Its adoption is expected by February 24 — the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The proposed measures in the 20th package include a blow to Russia’s energy and financial sectors, a total ban on maritime services for Russian oil, and an expansion of the sanctions list targeting the so-called shadow fleet to 640 vessels.
On February 17, RBC-Ukraine reported that several EU countries are seeking to water down the anniversary sanctions package against Russia. The discussion concerns European Commission proposals to impose restrictions on foreign ports and banks that facilitate Russia's illegal oil sales.
