UK ‘Ramps Up Pressure on Putin’ With Biggest Sanctions Package Yet

The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the largest sanctions package to date against Russia.

In a post on X, he emphasized that the threat posed by Russia to the UK’s national security is serious and must not be underestimated.

“To ramp up the pressure on Putin, I’m announcing the largest package of sanctions yet. I will always do what it takes to safeguard working people. Security at home. Strength abroad,” he said.

Earlier, the UK government stated that it plans to sanction around 100 tankers that form the core of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” Since early 2024, these vessels have transported over $24 billion worth of Russian oil. British authorities also noted that such tankers pose additional risks, including repeated incidents of damage to undersea cables in Europe.

Downing Street stressed that this new package represents the largest set of sanctions in British history and will directly target Russia’s shadow fleet. The government said the measures are designed not only to increase economic pressure on Russia’s President Vladimir Putin but also to protect the UK’s and Europe’s critical infrastructure.

The sanctions will primarily target aging and unsafe vessels used to illegally transport Russian oil in defiance of existing restrictions. London expects the measures to further destabilize Russia’s economy, which is already struggling due to falling oil prices and the mounting costs of its three-year war on Ukraine.

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The UK is acting in close coordination with its partners in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – a coalition of ten nations that maintain forces on high readiness intended to respond rapidly to crises – made up of: the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.