European Union (EU) countries on Wednesday approved the 19th package of sanctions on Russia since February 2022, which introduces the bloc's first-ever ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to the Danish presidency of the EU Council.
The sanctions blacklist an additional 117 vessels from the "shadow fleet", which is "used to circumvent the price cap on Russian seaborne oil," bringing the total to 558 ships. The vessels are denied access to EU ports and services.
The package also adds a mechanism that curbs the movements of Russian diplomats across the passport-free Schengen area.
Members of Russia's diplomatic and consular missions will now be obliged to notify their intention to travel to or transit through another member state beyond their host nation.
The 19th sanction package is expected to be formally adopted on Thursday, before the start of an EU summit.
A written procedure for EU Council approval has been launched, and if no objections are received, the package will be adopted on Thursday, the presidency said in a statement.
Some EU diplomats said that the EU is working with Ukraine on a 12-point proposal to end war with Russia along current battle lines, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
A peace board chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump would oversee the implementation of the proposed plan, the report said, noting that the proposal incorporates large part of the ideas already under discussion and clearly rejected by Russia.
EU approves 19th sanctions package against Russia, including LNG import ban
EU approves 19th sanctions package against Russia, including LNG import ban
EU approves 19th sanctions package against Russia, including LNG import ban
EU approves 19th sanctions package against Russia, including LNG import ban
EU approves 19th sanctions package against Russia, including LNG import ban
