European Council adopts 16th sanction package against Russia

BRUSSELS - The European Council on Monday adopted the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting multiple sectors including energy, trade, transport, infrastructure, and finance, according to a statement issued by the Council.

The decision followed a meeting of foreign ministers from European Union (EU) member states in Brussels on Monday, coinciding with the Ukraine crisis's third anniversary.

The new sanctions include listings of 83 individuals and entities linked to supporting the Russian military complex, sanctions circumvention, Russian crypto asset exchanges, and the maritime sector. The EU also imposed port bans on 74 vessels connected to Russia's "shadow fleet" and those facilitating Russian energy revenues, according to the statement.

In trade, the EU expanded its ban on Russian-processed aluminum products to primary aluminum imports. The bloc also tightened export controls on dual-use goods, restricting exports of software for computer numerical control machine tools and video-game controllers used to pilot drones.

In the energy sector, the EU now fully bans the temporary storage of Russian crude oil and petroleum products in EU ports, including under free zone procedures. Previously, such operations were permitted if the oil complied with the price cap mechanism and was destined for third countries.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the EU's 16th sanctions package was expected while asserting that Russia sees no way to resume "dialogue with Europe".