Brussels | July 19, 2025 — The European Union has imposed sanctions on 18 foreign companies, including one based in Azerbaijan, as part of its 18th package of restrictive measures targeting Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the decision published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the sanctioned entities come from a range of countries including China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Mauritius, and Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani company Aqua Fleet Management was included in the list, alongside firms such as China’s Bellatrix Energy, Zhu Jiang Shipmanagement, ACE Electronic HK, Wuhan Global Sensor Technology, and Shandong ODES Industry. Indian firms Intershipping Services Hub Private and Nayara Energy were also sanctioned.
From Mauritius, Redbird Corporate Services and Sapang Shipping were targeted, while 2Rivers PTE from Singapore and a number of UAE-based firms—Intershipping Services, Twister Shipmanagement, Admiral Group, Milavous Group, 2Rivers DMCC, Monolink Group, and Tarabya Logistics—rounded out the list.
The EU accuses these companies of supporting or facilitating the circumvention of existing sanctions against Russia, particularly in the energy, technology, and shipping sectors.
Brussels has been steadily expanding its sanctions regime in response to what it describes as Moscow’s continued aggression against Ukraine and attempts to undermine European security. The 18th sanctions package also includes asset freezes, travel bans, and other trade restrictions targeting both Russian and foreign entities allegedly involved in aiding the Kremlin’s war effort.
