Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Cyprus and Malta warn against maritime sanctions impacting legitimate businesses
Cyprus and Malta, which have big shipping fleets, are talking with the EU and G7 about making Russia pay more for its war in Ukraine.
They want to stop using ships to move Russian oil, but they don't want to hurt regular businesses.
They say the EU should make sure that if they change the rules, it doesn't make things worse by moving the business to places where the EU can't control it.
Other countries like Latvia agree and say they are talking to the US about making the sanctions work better.
Cyprus and Malta, key EU shipping nations, warn against a full maritime services ban on Russia that could harm legitimate businesses.
The EU and G7 are considering replacing the current price cap on Russian oil with a full ban on maritime services.
Russia exports over a third of its oil using Western tankers, mostly to India and China.
The potential ban could be part of the EU's next sanctions package against Russia, expected in early 2026.
Latvia supports a 'calibrated' approach and has discussed increasing sanctions efficiency with the US.
- Who
- Cyprus, Malta, Latvia, EU, G7
- What
- Discussions on tightening sanctions against Russia, including a potential ban on maritime services
- When
- Ongoing discussions, with potential sanctions package in early 2026
- Where
- EU and G7 countries
- Why
- To reduce Russia's oil revenue financing the war in Ukraine, while protecting legitimate maritime businesses
- Countries Involved
- Cyprus, Malta, Latvia, EU, G7
- Potential Sanctions
- Full maritime services ban on Russia
- Current Sanctions
- Price cap on Russian oil exports
- Major Oil Importers
- India, China
- EU Sanctions Package Timeline
- Early 2026