EU slaps more sanctions on Russia ahead of Ukraine war’s third year

European Union envoys have approved a new raft of sanctions against Russia, with the measures set to enter into force next week on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a top EU official and diplomats confirmed on Wednesday.

The move comes with the Europeans sidelined from US-led talks to end the war.

The EU has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in February 24, 2022. More than 2,300 officials and entities – usually government agencies, banks and organisations – have been hit.

The diplomats confirmed approval of the sanctions – the 16th package of measures including travel bans, asset freezes and trade restrictions – on condition that they not be named. The measures are still not entirely finalised until EU foreign ministers endorse them on Monday, allowing them to enter force.

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Ukraine says it won’t accept any US-Russia peace deal reached without Kyiv

Ukraine says it won’t accept any US-Russia peace deal reached without Kyiv

Among the latest sanctions are measures targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships that it exploits to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or to carry stolen Ukrainian grain. Some 70 vessels believed to be part of the shadow fleet will be added to more than 50 already listed.