EU backs gradual Russia aluminium ban in 16th sanctions package

European Union ambassadors agreed Wednesday to move forward with a fresh package of sanctions targeting Russian aluminium imports and its shadow oil tanker fleet as the bloc tries to tighten the pressure on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.One day after senior US and Russian negotiators met in Saudi Arabia for exploratory peace talks, the bloc pressed ahead with its 16th sanctions package.

The new penalties include a gradual ban on aluminum imports, restrictions on dozens of vessels in Moscow’s shadow fleet of tankers and prohibiting about a dozen more banks from accessing the SWIFT international payments system, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The bloc’s foreign ministers are now expected to formally adopt the measures next week.The measures come ahead of the three year mark of Moscow’s invasion and as the US has signaled that sanctions relief could be part of peace settlement talks with Russia.

The EU currently has no plans to ease restrictions on Moscow. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told some European allies this week that the US will keep sanctions on Russia in place at least until a deal to end the Ukraine conflict is reached, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

Other measures in the bloc’s new package include banning transactions with some ports and airports used to circumvent existing restrictions, dozens of individuals and entities aiding Russia to get around sanctions, and further limits on exports of goods used by Moscow to produce weapons.