Britain is preparing a major new package of sanctions against Russia, with more than 600 Russian-linked vessels set to be targeted as the country steps up efforts to cut off the funding for Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. The measures are expected to be unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7 summit in France, where support for Ukraine is set to dominate the talks.
At the heart of the package is Russia's so-called shadow fleet, the network of vessels Moscow uses to keep its oil and gas flowing despite Western restrictions. According to the plans, the measures will target hundreds of these vessels, ban liquefied natural gas shipments, and crack down on the financial networks that Moscow relies on to help fund its war effort.
Alongside the sanctions, the United Kingdom is set to offer direct support to Ukraine's energy system. Britain is preparing to pledge 210 million pounds for enriched uranium destined for Ukrainian nuclear power stations, a move aimed at helping keep the country's electricity flowing and its people warmer through the winter months.
The announcements are being timed to coincide with the gathering of G7 leaders in France. Reporting from near the summit, GB News indicated that Starmer wants to put pressure on Russia on two fronts at once, by widening the number of tankers under sanction and by reinforcing Ukraine's ability to withstand the conflict.
Officials have been careful not to reveal too much of the detail in advance. The reasoning, as described, is to avoid giving Russia advance warning that would allow it to find ways around the new measures, with fuller details of the package expected to be set out later rather than spelled out ahead of time.
The package also comes against a charged diplomatic backdrop. Starmer met U.S. President Donald Trump in person at Evian, their first face-to-face meeting since the United Kingdom declined to take part in the war with Iran, with the outcome of that encounter still to be confirmed publicly as the summit continues.