EU Prepares 21st Sanctions Package Targeting Russian Shadow Fleet Banks and Stolen Grain Trade

Politico, citing seven anonymous EU officials and diplomats, reported on May 11 that Brussels is preparing a 21st Russia sanctions package, expected in late June or early July, targeting Russia's shadow tanker fleet, banks, defense-sector firms, and companies trading stolen Ukrainian grain. Hungary's political transition has cleared the veto blocking earlier measures, including personal sanctions against Patriarch Kirill and a maritime-services ban previously stalled by Malta and Greece. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after a Luxembourg ministerial that there is "new momentum" to "revisit sanctions that have been on the table and not agreed before." EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis described Russia as experiencing a "static inflationary shock," and unnamed officials told Politico its economy is in its worst state since the war began.