BRUSSELS, May 20 -- The European Union on Tuesday agreed to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, notably targeting almost 200 ships from the shadow fleet illicitly transporting oil to skirt Western restrictions put in place over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc targeted 189 ships in all, and imposed asset freezes and travel bans on several officials as well as on a number of Russian companies. The measures were endorsed by EU foreign ministers in Brussels, reports AP.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that while President Vladimir "Putin feigns interest in peace, more sanctions are in the works. Russia's actions and those who enable Russia face severe consequences."

Russia uses its "shadow fleet " of ships to transport o...