The European Union (EU) on Wednesday approved a fresh package of sanctions on Russia, clamping down on its "shadow" oil fleet, as Europe threatens further punishment if Moscow does not agree to a Ukraine truce, AFP reports.

The new measures against the Kremlin—the 17th round of sanctions from the EU since the war in Ukraine began in 2022—were in the pipeline before European leaders issued their latest ultimatum to Moscow over US-led peace efforts.