Draft of the 17th EU Sanctions Package Unlikely to Be Blocked by Hungary
The European Commission has unveiled a draft of the 17th sanctions package against Russia. According to European Pravda, Hungary is not expected to oppose the adoption of the package, which may be formally approved as early as May. The proposal is currently under review by EU member states.
EU and US Preparing Coordinated Sanctions on Russia if Ceasefire Talks Collapse
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Brussels and Washington are coordinating joint sanctions in case Moscow disrupts negotiations over a ceasefire. Russian media report that the US is preparing a new sanctions package that would impose tariffs of up to 500% on Russian energy exports. The bill has support from 72 US senators—enough to override a presidential veto, even by Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s Sanctions from May 9 against Russian, Iranian, Uzbek and Hong Kong entities
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted sanctions against 58 individuals and 74 entities. The list includes cultural figures, businessmen, and politicians who openly support Russia’s war against Ukraine. The decree also targets 67 Russian companies, primarily in the defense sector, along with three Iranian, three Uzbek, and one Hong Kong-based company. The sanctions include asset freezes, trade restrictions, and other restrictive measures.
EU Plans a Total Ban on Russian Gas Imports—Both Pipeline and LNG
The European Union plans to completely phase out imports of Russian natural gas by 2027 and reduce dependence on Russian oil and enriched uranium. According to Politico, the updated roadmap for the REPowerEU plan was presented in Strasbourg on May 6 by EU Climate Commissioner Dan Jørgensen. The document also calls for stricter monitoring of Russia’s “shadow fleet” operating in EU waters. “The EU’s goal is to eliminate reliance on Russian energy—gas, oil, and nuclear materials alike,” said Jørgensen. Legislative proposals based on this roadmap are expected in June 2025.
EU Tightens Oversight of the Shadow Fleet Through Revised Vessel Monitoring Directive
On May 8, the updated EU Directive 2025/811 entered into force, requiring ships transiting maritime control zones (MSRS) to carry insurance certificates. The primary aim is to reduce risks associated with Russia’s shadow fleet, which moves oil covertly to circumvent sanctions. The new rules make it nearly impossible to avoid scrutiny in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas.
Tyumen Plant Installs Italian Equipment Due to Lack of Russian Alternatives
Tyumen-based "Orion" plant spent a year importing a specialized Italian rebar production line. In the Tochka Rosta video podcast, director Yevgeny Nechayev explained that no Russian manufacturer could match the required speed of operations. The decision to purchase from Europe underscores the structural dependence of Russian machinery on foreign imports.
Russian Car Production in Venezuela
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto announced that Caracas has invited Russian automakers to localize production. He emphasized that such cooperation would serve both the domestic Venezuelan market and broader Latin America and the Caribbean. The move follows a meeting between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Vladimir Putin, where energy and industrial projects were discussed.
More news is available in the full ESCU Sanctions Digest #16
