A bipartisan group of nine senators introduced a bill Sept. 18 that would expand U.S. sanctions authorities against the “shadow fleet” of tankers Russia has deployed to circumvent the international price cap on its oil and generate funds for its military.
The U.K. last week sanctioned two people based in Georgia, along with companies in Russia and England, for supporting Russia or doing business with the country.
Shipping industry officials last week called for a uniform, global set of rules and sanctions to address a rise in shadow fleet vessels, saying those tankers are presenting increasing safety and security risks for the maritime industry.
The European Commission's next sanctions package against Russia will ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, designate more shadow fleet vessels, target more Russian banks, introduce new export controls and more, President Ursula von der Leyen announced last week.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he and President Donald Trump discussed how to "decisively increase the pressure" on Russian President Vladimir Putin "to get him to agree to a peace deal."
The U.K. on Sept. 18 amended the entry for China-based Autel Robotics under its Russia sanctions regime. The listing was revised to remove Autel Intelligent Technology as Autel Robotics' parent company.
Australia this week announced new sanctions against Russia and also said it's lowering its price cap on Russian oil from $60 per barrel to $47.60 per barrel, following a similar move by other nations imposing the cap (see 2507180017 and 2509120045). The new designations target 95 Russian "shadow fleet" vessels that are helping Moscow evade international sanctions, Australia said. "We will continue to take coordinated and decisive action to disrupt Russia's ability to fund its invasion, including through constraining its oil revenues."
To crack down on Hong Kong’s significant role in sanctions evasion, the U.S. should increase funding for the Bureau of Industry and Security’s budget, pass pending anti-money laundering legislation and sanction banks involved in the Chinese territory’s illicit trade, a Hong Kong expert said Sept. 18.
The Bureau of Industry and Security again renewed temporary denial orders for three Russian airlines accused of violating U.S. export controls against Russia.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., announced Sept. 17 that he plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to seize about $300 billion in frozen Russian assets and make the funds available to Ukraine to better equip its military.