UK imposes 'largest ever' package of sanctions on Russia
The British government has unveiled its “largest-ever” sanctions package against Russia, as stated in an official announcement. These measures aim to disrupt Russia’s oil transportation network and diminish Moscow’s energy revenues. This announcement...
TroibNews 
The British government has unveiled its “largest-ever” sanctions package against Russia, as stated in an official announcement. These measures aim to disrupt Russia’s oil transportation network and diminish Moscow’s energy revenues.
This announcement coincided with Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany on Friday.
London, a steadfast ally of Kiev, has provided military and tactical support along with billions of dollars in aid, and has long asserted that Moscow represents a threat to the UK’s national security. Over the past three years, various British administrations have imposed over 2,000 sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities in connection with the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
“The threat Russia poses to our national security cannot be underestimated. To ramp up the pressure on Putin, I’m announcing the largest package of sanctions yet,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X.
The new sanctions blacklist as many as 100 oil tankers that the West contends are part of a Russian “shadow fleet,” older ships operating outside Western insurance frameworks. London claims these vessels have transported over $24 billion in cargo since the start of 2024. Additionally, the EU and the US have also focused on Russian shipping, with a forthcoming 17th European sanctions package anticipated to blacklist another 150 ships later this month.
Moscow has characterized these restrictions as a “futile” gesture that will not damage the Russian economy but will instead increase energy costs and inflation throughout Europe. Russian oil revenues have remained strong due to non-Western buyers like China and India. Last month, the Russian Embassy in London urged the British government to cease “theatrical and short-lived gestures of hostility towards Russia.”
The UK has further accused these vessels of endangering critical undersea infrastructure, including telecommunications cables and oil and gas pipelines, claims that Moscow has dismissed as “hastily concocted fantasy stories.”
London’s strong sanctions rhetoric surfaces as Britain, along with the EU, finds itself increasingly sidelined from the peace process regarding Ukraine.
A significant meeting in London concerning the conflict was downgraded last month after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his attendance. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of partially lifting restrictions on Moscow as part of a potential peace agreement.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
This announcement coincided with Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany on Friday.
London, a steadfast ally of Kiev, has provided military and tactical support along with billions of dollars in aid, and has long asserted that Moscow represents a threat to the UK’s national security. Over the past three years, various British administrations have imposed over 2,000 sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities in connection with the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
“The threat Russia poses to our national security cannot be underestimated. To ramp up the pressure on Putin, I’m announcing the largest package of sanctions yet,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X.
The new sanctions blacklist as many as 100 oil tankers that the West contends are part of a Russian “shadow fleet,” older ships operating outside Western insurance frameworks. London claims these vessels have transported over $24 billion in cargo since the start of 2024. Additionally, the EU and the US have also focused on Russian shipping, with a forthcoming 17th European sanctions package anticipated to blacklist another 150 ships later this month.
Moscow has characterized these restrictions as a “futile” gesture that will not damage the Russian economy but will instead increase energy costs and inflation throughout Europe. Russian oil revenues have remained strong due to non-Western buyers like China and India. Last month, the Russian Embassy in London urged the British government to cease “theatrical and short-lived gestures of hostility towards Russia.”
The UK has further accused these vessels of endangering critical undersea infrastructure, including telecommunications cables and oil and gas pipelines, claims that Moscow has dismissed as “hastily concocted fantasy stories.”
London’s strong sanctions rhetoric surfaces as Britain, along with the EU, finds itself increasingly sidelined from the peace process regarding Ukraine.
A significant meeting in London concerning the conflict was downgraded last month after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his attendance. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of partially lifting restrictions on Moscow as part of a potential peace agreement.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
Find more stories on Business, Economy and Finance in TROIB business
