The European Union adopted fresh sanctions against Russian oil interests on Monday, targeting traders Murtaza Lakhani and Etibar Eyyub for helping Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions on crude exports that help to fund Russia's war in Ukraine.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on five businessmen linked to Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft.

The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on a further five individuals and four organisations deemed responsible for supporting Russia's shadow fleet. Source: a press release by the Council of the EU,

The European Union is set to lock up Russia’s assets in Europe until Russia ends its war on Ukraine and compensates for the damage.

The European Council has imposed new sanctions on 9 individuals and organizations that contribute to the functioning of Russia's shadow fleet. The restrictions are aimed at further reducing Russia's ability to generate revenue to finance its aggressive war against Ukraine.

Cash won’t be the only divisive issue in the shadows of Tuesday’s gathering. In recent weeks Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly rebuked Europe, with the U.S. president branding the continent’s leaders “weak” in an interview with POLITICO.

European Union sources told RFE/RL that the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss China-Russia ties, including potential evidence that Beijing is sending weapons to Russia.

The European Commission has proposed an unprecedented use of about 210 billion euros of frozen Russian sovereign assets to finance Ukraine.

Belgium blocks EU plan to seize Russian assets for Ukraine aid, citing serious fears of Putin retaliation and potential war escalation against Europe.

Russia’s Central Bank says it has filed a lawsuit against Belgian financial institution Euroclear. That's the Brussels-based clearing house that holds most of Moscow’s frozen assets in Europe.