News Feed, European Union, EU sanctions, Sanctions against Russia, Sanctions, Russia

EU to adopt 17th sanctions package against Russia on May 20; 18th package underway

by Kateryna Hodunova May 20, 2025 11:37 AM 2 min read

Illustrative purposes only: A European Union flag flies in front of the District Court in Burgas, Bulgaria, on March 13, 2024. (Michaela Vatcheva/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

This audio is created with AI assistance

Latest: EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

The European Union will adopt the 17th package of sanctions against Russia on May 20, while the next package of restrictions is "already in motion," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on May 19 on X.

EU ambassadors on May 14 agreed on the bloc's 17th package of sanctions against Russia, primarily targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers. Following the news, President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that an important "strong EU sanctions package" is underway.

"Putin hasn't changed his goals — he still wants to destroy Ukraine and rewrite Europe's borders. He has rejected ceasefire proposals and continues heavy attacks on Ukraine," Tsahkna wrote on X.

"He'll only stop when the cost becomes unbearable. Tomorrow (on May 20), the EU will adopt its 17th sanctions package, targeting Russia's shadow fleet and energy revenues. The 18th is already in motion," Tsahkna added.

Ukraine's European allies are tightening sanctions against Russia as Moscow refuses to cease fire. Despite Russia's refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far.

During a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, the parties again failed to reach an agreement on establishing a truce in Ukraine.

The call followed inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, where Moscow sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including Kyiv's acceptance of the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.

After the talks between Trump and Putin, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine will not withdraw troops from the territories it controls, rejecting Russian demands put forward by the country's delegation in Istanbul.

Author: Kateryna Hodunova

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

More than 20,000 people chose to stand behind us. We’re deeply grateful and overwhelmed with your support. Thank you for making it possible.

Let´s see how far we can go?

Become a member

News Feed

3:20 PM

Western firms reportedly paid at least $46 billion in taxes to Russia amid full-scale war in Ukraine.

Seventeen of the 20 largest foreign corporate taxpayers in Russia come from G7 and EU countries, which are Ukraine's main international supporters, according to investigative outlet Follow the Money.

3:02 PM

Israeli Foreign Ministry denies sending Patriot systems to Ukraine amid conflicting claims.

The denial contrasts with statements made by Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, who said in a recent interview that Israel had agreed to transfer retired Patriot missile systems — originally supplied by the U.S. in the 1990s — to Ukraine.

8:08 PM

(Updated: June 10, 2025 2:15 pm)

'Russians are too weak' — Orban questions Moscow's ability to attack NATO.

"The Russians are too weak for that," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

2:35 AM

(Updated: June 10, 2025 1:52 pm)

In one of largest attacks on Ukraine's capital, Russian barrage hits Kyiv, Odesa, kills 3, injures 12.

In the early hours of June 10, Kyiv and Odesa came under another mass Russian attack, involving ballistic missiles and drones.

1:25 PM

Over 40% of Ukrainians willing to compromise on 'de facto' recognition of Russian occupation for peace, poll shows.

Some 48% of Ukrainians oppose even a "de facto" recognition of Russian occupation of Ukraine's territories to achieve peace, according to a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published on June 10.

1:14 PM

Russian soldier recorded launching grenade at residential building in retaken Kursk Oblast town.

In the footage, the soldier is seen loading a grenade launcher while repeatedly shouting "Akhmat! Chechnya!" — a reference to Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov's forces — before firing in the direction of a residential area.

11:59 AM

Russia to help North Korea produce Shahed-type drones, Ukraine's spy chief says.

Shahed drones could enable North Korea to strike targets across South Korea, potentially overwhelming air defenses, and could also assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.

11:40 AM

Russia doubts NATO's Article 5, could use 'little green men' to test it, German intelligence chief warns.

"They don't need to send tanks for that," German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl told Table Media. "They just have to send 'little green men' to Estonia to defend the allegedly oppressed Russian minority."

9:46 AM

Ukraine's NATO membership remains 'irreversible' despite possible communique omission, Rutte says.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's comments follow reporting that this year's summit communique may exclude references to Russia and Ukraine.

9:33 AM

Russian attacks kill 7, injure 34 in Ukraine over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down seven Russian missiles and 213 attack drones. According to the Air Force, 64 drones disappeared from radars or were intercepted by electronic warfare systems.

8:48 AM

17-year-old boy dies after June 3 Russian attack on Sumy, death toll rises to 6.

The boy, whose name was not disclosed, died because of his injuries several days after the strike.

8:15 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 998,080 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 960 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:56 AM

Drone attacks target Russia's Tatarstan Republic, Leningrad Oblast, media reports.

Drone attacks targeted Russia's Tatarstan Republic and Leningrad Oblast in the morning of June 10, independent outlet Astra reported.

6:14 AM

Pro-Ukrainian partisans destroy car used by Russian drone operators in occupied Melitopol, Atesh claims.

A car used by drone operators in the Russian 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade was destroyed by the Atesh partisan group in occupied Melitopol overnight on June 10, the group claimed.

1:53 AM

US accuses Russian of laundering millions, helping Moscow obtain sensitive technology.

U.S. prosecutors have charged cryptocurrency entrepreneur Iurii Gugnin with laundering over $500 million and helping sanctioned Russian entities bypass export controls.

11:48 PM

Canada to hit NATO spending target this year as it shifts defense focus toward EU.

Speaking at the University of Toronto, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move is part of a strategic pivot away from reliance on the U.S. and toward deeper cooperation with the European Union, citing growing security threats from Russia, China, and other adversaries.

10:41 PM

War update