US and Europe Simultaneously Intensify Sanctions on Russia: US Plans to Introduce Bill to Expand Sanctions on "Shadow Tanker Fleet"

  On September 19, according to the Financial Times, U.S. senators are seeking to increase financial pressure on Russia, targeting Moscow's energy exports. A new bill set to be submitted on Friday will significantly expand U.S. sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers—since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Moscow has been using this fleet to evade Western restrictions on its energy sector. Revenues from these crude oil exports have become one of the sources of funding for Moscow's actions. "Shadow" tankers are often older vessels with hidden ownership information, making enforcement of sanctions more challenging. However, it has been shown that sanctions targeting these vessels themselves are effective. Meanwhile, EU ambassadors are scheduled to hold a meeting on Friday afternoon in Brussels to discuss a new round of sanctions proposed by the European Commission, which targets both Russian oil and gas production.