French foreign minister says EU preparing new sanctions against Russia over 'shadow fleet,' interference

ISTANBUL

France will continue to press for sanctions against Russian actors involved in the war in Ukraine, including entities accused of helping circumvent existing measures and individuals linked to propaganda and digital interference in Europe, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.

Speaking at the doorstep of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Barrot said restrictive measures are being prepared against nine entities involved in bypassing EU sanctions through what he described as Russia’s “shadow fleet,” notably maritime companies working for or linked to major Russian oil firms, including Lukoil and Rosneft.

He said the sanctions package would also target 12 individuals accused of destabilizing activities in Europe, including those responsible for foreign interference and foreign digital interference.

Among those expected to be sanctioned is Xavier Moreau, a French-Russian national based in Russia, whom Barrot described as a relay for "Kremlin propaganda" in Europe.

He also cited John Mark Dougan, accused of playing a key role in digital interference operations in Europe.

Barrot specifically referred to a disinformation campaign known as “Storm 1516,” which French authorities have said repeatedly targeted French and European public debate.

The campaign was identified by Viginum, France’s agency responsible for monitoring and countering foreign digital interference.

France, he stressed, remains determined to maintain pressure on actors contributing “in one way or another” to Russia’s war of aggression, using sanctions as a key tool alongside its European partners.