It sanctioned a commodities trader it described as a linchpin in Russia’s oil market, part of moves designed to step up pressure on Moscow ahead of possible peace talks with Ukraine.

Britain on Tuesday sanctioned 20 ships that it said were using illicit practices to avoid sanctions on Russian oil, its latest measures targeting Russia's so-called shadow fleet of vessels.

The United Kingdom sanctioned 20 vessels of Russia’s "shadow fleet" and pledged 35 million pounds ($44 million) in aid to repair Ukraine’s energy grid, the British government said on Dec. 17.

Russia’s vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, was also targeted. Fifty-two vessels were added to a growing list of ships banned from European ports and deprived of services.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced new sanctions against 20 tankers involved in the illegal transportation of Russian oil. Source: British media, citing Starmer's statement, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "As Putin's oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war,

European Union foreign ministers on Monday signed off on the bloc's 15th round of sanctions since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The new economic measures aim to curb the circumvention of already existing EU sanctions and to weaken the Russia military and defence industry.

The European Union has adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including tougher measures against Chinese entities and more vessels from Moscow's so-called shadow fleet,

The EU has announced a new set of sanctions against Russia as it looks to target Vladimir Putin's "shadow fleet" of ships and the country's military and industrial complex

Officials say it is designed to address the avoidance of sanctions through targeting Russia's "shadow fleet" of ships and weaken the country's military and industrial complex. The