(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to Ukrinform, Bloomberg reported this, citing individuals familiar with the plans.

Sources told the outlet that EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on Thursday, are expected to consider increasing pressure on countries that register vessels used by Russia's shadow fleet to circumvent EU sanctions.

In a document circulated ahead of the meeting and reviewed by Bloomberg, Poland proposed new rules and coordination mechanisms, including on complex issues such as allowing authorities to board vessels.

According to the document, the EU has conducted extensive diplomatic outreach to so-called“flag states” that register ships and has been“largely successful” in convincing many of them to deregister vessels. Warsaw also proposed involving port and coastal states, as well as organizations that facilitate vessel operations.

Any new measures under consideration would form part of the EU's 20th sanctions package, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As reported earlier, Canada expanded its sanctions against Russia, placing restrictions on 100 vessels belonging to the shadow fleet.

On Thursday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also proposed that the EU consider creating a“more effective” blacklist of shadow-fleet vessels that would be updated automatically, rather than with each new sanctions package.

Read also: Sanctions cut flow of Russian oil to China by two-thirds – Bloomber

EU ministers are also expected to discuss options for financing Ukraine. Belgium is rejecting a European Commission proposal to use frozen assets of Russia's central bank to secure loans for Ukraine. The Belgian government is concerned about the legal consequences of using these assets, most of which are frozen in Belgium. Although the Commission has suggested two alternative options - a €90 billion grant or an EU loan backed by debt - it would be nearly impossible to finalize these decisions before March, when Ukraine will run out of funds.

According to Bloomberg, the EU is now rushing to prepare the legal text that will form the basis for discussions at the next leaders' summit in Brussels in December. Belgium insists on reviewing the legal proposal before agreeing to anything and is seeking coordinated action from the G7. The issue will be discussed on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 meeting.

As reported earlier, Ukrinform notes that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the EU has begun work on a new sanctions package against Russia. The previous, 19th package, approved on October 23, aims in part to further reduce Russia's revenues from gas and oil exports.

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