Tag: Sanctions
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Lindsey Graham’s Russian sanctions bill comes into effect
US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, introducing a new sweeping package of US sanctions against Russia and significantly expanding Washington’s ability to target countries and companies that continue to facilitate Russian energy exports. The Lindsey Graham bill was approved by both…
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France wants sanctions on Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov lifted in exchange for French prisoners
France is pushing the European Union to remove sanctions against Russian-Uzbek oligarch Alisher Usmanov as part of negotiations aimed at securing the release of French nationals imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The French intervention, which has been described as “astonishing” by European diplomats, has contributed to delaying the renewal of EU sanctions against nearly 3,000 Russian-linked individuals and…
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Italian tech collective denies terrorism accusations following sanctions by US State Department
The Italian tech collective Autistici/Inventati (A/I) has rejected US accusations of terrorism after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on August 26, 2026 that Washington had designated the group a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The State and Treasury departments said A/I provides digital infrastructure — including encrypted email, chat, web hosting, and anonymity tools —…
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EU Council approves 21st sanctions package: EU High Representative says EU mission in the Red Sea will protect commercial shipping
The EU Council has adopted the 21st sanctions package against Russia after agreeing to a derogation addressing Greece’s objections to the proposed restrictions. Greece opposed the ban on EU operators transferring Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries. Under the final rules, such transfers may continue temporarily under qualifying long-term contracts concluded before 24 February…
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US Senate pushes Russian sanctions bill to commemorate Lindsey Graham
The US Senate is moving forward with a sweeping Russia sanctions bill originally championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia and foreign states that continue to finance the Russia’s war machine through the purchase of Russian energy. The legislation, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, was…
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EU Council meeting concludes with decision on new Russian sanctions: new partnership with Bahrain announced
Yesterday’s EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting concluded with the adoption of several new sets of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities involved in cyberattacks, human rights violations and the repression of civil society. High Representative Kaja Kallas said that the measures adopted yesterday, together with the forthcoming 21st sanctions package, comprise more than 250 listings,…
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New sanctions against Russia approved by the EU Foreign Council: Malta’s Foreign Minister makes his first appearance
Today, the European Foreign Council in Luxembourg has approved new sanctions against individuals and several shipping entities, including Russian shadow fleet vessels with some of these entities registered in Turkey, Liberia and the United Arab Emirates apart from Russia. The Council meeting is ongoing. Earlier this morning Russia launched more than 600 drones and a…
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Ireland plays games with the EU and says will investigate alumina exports to Russia
The EU High Representative Kaja Kallas was in Dublin today, in preparation for the Irish Presidency of the European Union. The High Representative raised the issue with Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister about Ireland’s alumina exports to Russia by Aughinish Alumina, a Russian-owned plant in County Limerick. The Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee TD told the…
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UK and Italy turn to Russian oil as oil in the open market remains above $100
The UK and Italy are temporally renewing their purchases of Russian oil seeking cheaper oil imports as inflation gets sticky in Europe due to the consequences of the war in Iran. Inflation in the UK went down in April at 3% from 3.4% in March but is still relatively high. The UK’s Department for Business…
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Maltese-Flagged ship goes straight to Russia after parking in Hurd’s Bank
A suspicious vessel which may be part of Russia’s shadow fleet is sailing straight to Saint Petersburg, Russia after anchoring in Hurd’s Bank last April. The Malta flagged-vessel Agapi 1 (IMO: 9697210), spent nearly two weeks anchored at Hurd’s Bank before sailing to Saint Petersburg. Hurd’s Bank is used by many ships for offshore-refueling including…
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Unusual and illicit activity returns with a bang in Hurd’s Bank
Illicit activity in Hurd’s Bank winded down following the attack on the Arctic Metagaz, but it seems to be picking up again. The Arctic Metagaz has finally been salvaged by the Libyan authorities. Unusual and illicit activity has a returned in Hurd’s Bank during the past few days with sanctioned vessels passing and anchoring through…
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The massive illegal oil trade outside Port Said
Port Said in Egypt has been a recipient of Russian oil despite EU and US sanctions, but the illegal oil trade outside the harbour and in international waters is also increasing. Port Said is becoming increasingly important for the illegal Russian oil trade due to a reduced illegal activity in Hurd’s Bank, the squeezing of…
