The Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia on Monday, according to a press release of the European Commission, reported Xinhua.

The package focuses on Russia's so-called shadow fleet and anti-circumvention measures. Another 52 Russian ships have been added to the list of banned vessels from docking at EU ports, bringing the total to 79.

According to the European Commission, these ships have been found to be engaged in high-risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or petroleum products, in arms deliveries, grain theft, or supporting the Russian energy sector. The new package includes 54 individuals and 30 entities that are subjected to asset freezes and travel bans.

EU officials failed to agree on this sanctions package at the beginning of December, as the Czech Republic and Slovakia blocked negotiations over the time given to some European companies to disinvest in Russia.

The EU has adopted a series of sanction packages since February 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict started, with its last sanction package being adopted in June this year.

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