EU proposes port sanctions in 20th package; U.S. seizes tanker linked to shadow fleet

The European Commission has proposed a new sanctions package that for the first time may include limitations affecting ports outside the European Union, the program reported, citing a Brussels correspondent.

Elena Abramovich, reporting from Brussels on air, said: "Впервые санкции могут затронуть порты за пределами Евросоюза," and named Kulevi in Georgia and a port in Indonesia as examples discussed by EU officials. She said the measures would restrict services from European companies — including freight administration, insurance and port services — to ships linked to Russia's shadow fleet.

Why it matters: The move would narrow the channels available for Russian oil exports and raise the costs and complexity of routing hydrocarbon shipments. Abramovich and an analyst cited by the program said that while the package may not immediately cripple Moscow's exports, it could reduce available options in the medium term.

The program also reported that U.S. forces seized a tanker, identified on air as Aquila 2, during an operation in the Indian Ocean after weeks of tracking. The broadcast said authorities suspect the ship was engaged in efforts to move Venezuelan oil to China in violation of sanctions; program reporting described Aquila 2 as the seventh tanker detained by U.S. authorities since December.

The correspondent cautioned that the EU proposal must still be discussed and potentially edited by member states and that ambassadors from 27 countries would need to approve the text. The program reported an expected decision window of about two weeks from the broadcast date.

Next steps: The EU proposal remains under negotiation among member states and will require formal adoption; enforcement details and targeted entities could change during the approval process.