EU calls for new sanctions on Russia’s LNG, shadow fleet and energy firms

BRUSSELS — The European Commission on Friday proposed new sanctions targeting Russia’s liquefied natural gas exports, its shadow fleet of aging oil tankers, and major energy companies as part of the bloc’s ongoing response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a video statement that “It is time to turn off the tap” on LNG, and she urged the 27 EU member states to quickly endorse the measures so they can take effect. The proposals would require unanimous endorsement before they can enter force.\n\nThe bloc has already approved 18 packages of sanctions against Russia, but reaching final agreement on who and what to target can take weeks. More than 2,500 “entities” — including banks, ministries, energy companies and officials — have already been hit. Among the named individuals are President Vladimir Putin and his close associates, scores of Russian lawmakers and several oligarchs. Travel bans and asset freezes remain among the most common tools used by the EU. Energy revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Moscow to fund the armed forces without triggering inflation for ordinary citizens or triggering a currency collapse.\n\n\n\nVon der Leyen’s plan would add 118 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet — the network of ships used to transport oil that evade some sanctions — to the list of targets, bringing the total number of affected vessels to more than 560. The measures would also put Rosneft and Gazprom Neft on a full transaction ban, with other companies facing asset freezes if the package is endorsed. Officials said the plan aims to go after those who fuel Russia’s war by purchasing oil in breach of sanctions.\n\nThe commission also proposed broader actions against the industry, including targeting refineries, oil traders, petrochemical companies and third countries, including China. Export restrictions would apply to items and technologies that can be used on the battlefield. A further 45 companies in Russia and elsewhere would be hit for providing direct or indirect support to the Russian military-industrial complex, von der Leyen said.\n\nIn explaining the strategy, von der Leyen stressed that the sanctions are designed to tighten the squeeze without triggering unintended consequences for European consumers. She cited Russia’s overheated war economy as being “coming to its limit,” noting persistent inflation and signs that Moscow’s ability to fund the war could be strained if the measures gain broad support among EU capitals.\n\nAnalysts say the proposed measures reflect a broader strategy to fracture Russia’s energy revenue flow while deepening pressure on key nodes of the war economy. Even as the EU seeks to maintain a steady energy supply for its members, officials cautioned that enforcement and coordination will be crucial, given the need for consensus among all 27 member states and potential pushback from third countries involved in oil markets.\n\nThe proposed measures would enter force only after formal endorsement, a process that can take weeks in the EU’s deliberately consensus-driven system. As the bloc continues to recalibrate its approach to Russia, Von der Leyen and other senior officials signaled readiness to pursue additional steps should Moscow escalate its aggression or show willingness to negotiate from a position of weakness. The plan aligns with a broader effort to limit Russia’s capacity to wage war while avoiding sharp spikes in energy prices for European consumers.\n