Archive · 18 Dec 2025
US and EU Target Russia's Shadow Fleet
The United States is getting ready to put more sanctions on Russia's energy sector.
This is to put pressure on Russia if their president, Vladimir Putin, doesn't agree to a peace deal with Ukraine.
The new sanctions might target ships that transport Russia's oil and the people who help with these transactions.
The US might announce these new measures very soon, possibly this week.
A important US official, the Treasury Secretary, talked about this with European ambassadors.
The White House and the State Department haven't said anything about it yet.
Additionally, the European Union has already imposed sanctions on 41 more ships in Russia’s shadow fleet, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to almost 600.
These ships are now banned from entering EU ports and can no longer receive a broad range of services related to maritime transport.
The US is preparing new sanctions on Russia's energy sector if Putin rejects a Ukraine peace deal.
Potential targets include Russia's shadow fleet of tankers and traders facilitating oil transactions.
The measures could be announced as early as this week.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the move with European ambassadors.
The EU imposed sanctions on 41 additional vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet on December 18, bringing the total to almost 600.
- Who
- United States, European Union, Russia
- What
- Potential new sanctions on Russia's energy sector and shadow fleet
- When
- As early as this week for US, December 18 for EU
- Where
- United States, European Union, Russia
- Why
- To pressure Russia if President Vladimir Putin rejects a peace deal with Ukraine
- Potential Targets
- Russia's shadow fleet of tankers and traders facilitating oil transactions
- Timing
- As early as this week
- Source
- Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter
- US Response
- White House and State Department did not immediately comment
- Key Figure
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- EU Sanctions
- 41 additional vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet
- Total Sanctioned Vessels
- Almost 600
- EU Sanctions Date
- December 18
