Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
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EU envoys approve sanctions banning Russian aluminium imports and restricting gaming consoles, targeting Russia's oil exports.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU envoys on Wednesday agreed on the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, EU diplomats said on Monday, including a ban on primary aluminium imports, sales of gaming consoles and the listing of 73 shadow fleet vessels.
The package, which largely sticks to the European Commission's proposal, is expected to be adopted by the EU's foreign ministers on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia's full invasion of Ukraine.
The aluminium import ban will be phased in a year from the official adoption of the package, which also adds 48 individuals and 35 entities to its sanctions list that includes asset freezes and a travel ban.
Progress on the latest EU sanctions comes after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Tuesday it had agreed to hold more talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine after an initial meeting that excluded Kyiv - a departure from Washington's previous approach that rallied U.S. allies to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The EU along with other Western powers has been ratcheting up restrictions in recent months to squeeze Russia's oil exports. In addition to the vessels, the envoys agreed to prohibit transactions with ports and airports in Russia used to circumvent the Group of Seven price cap on Russian oil.
The newly sanctioned ships will be added to the already listed 79 ships, mainly tankers, used by Russia to sell oil outside the price cap or vessels that help in Moscow's war effort such as shipping ammunition from North Korea.
Sales of video game consoles, joysticks and flight simulators would also be restricted as they could be used by Russia's military to control drones, an EU diplomat said.
Other bans include exports of chromium and certain chemicals as well as a service ban for oil and gas refineries.
(Reporting by Julia Payne, Writing by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Makini Brice and Alison Williams)
The new sanctions package includes a ban on primary aluminium imports, restrictions on sales of gaming consoles, and additional sanctions on 48 individuals and 35 entities.
The aluminium import ban will be phased in a year from the official adoption of the sanctions package.
In addition to aluminium, the sanctions also restrict sales of video game consoles and certain chemicals, as well as impose a service ban for oil and gas refineries.
The newly sanctioned ships will be added to the already listed 79 ships, primarily tankers, used by Russia for oil exports outside the price cap.
The sanctions are part of ongoing efforts by the EU and other Western powers to increase restrictions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.
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