EU adopts 19th sanctions package against Russia, targeting energy, finance, third-country networks

The European Union has adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, imposing wide-ranging new restrictions on the country’s energy sector, financial networks, military industry, and foreign enablers, as Moscow’s war against Ukraine nears its third year.

The new measures include 69 individual listings and sweeping economic restrictions. The EU also extended sanctions to Belarus for its continued support of Russia’s war effort.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the latest sanctions were designed to further erode Russia’s ability to finance its invasion.

“We have just adopted our 19th package of sanctions. It targets Russian energy, banks, crypto exchanges, and entities in China, among others. The EU is also regulating the movements of Russian diplomats to counter destabilisation attempts. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Putin to finance his war. Every euro we deny Russia is one it cannot spend on war,” she said.

The package introduces a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) - effective January 2027 for long-term contracts and within six months for short-term deals.

The EU also tightened existing bans on Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, listed a Tatarstani oil conglomerate, and imposed sanctions on Chinese refineries and traders involved in buying Russian crude.
Additionally, Litasco Middle East DMCC, a UAE-based subsidiary of Lukoil linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, was sanctioned. Another 117 vessels were added to the EU’s port access and service bans, bringing the total to 557 ships.

Brussels also introduced new measures against Russia’s use of cryptocurrency to evade sanctions, including a ban on the Russian-backed A7A5 stablecoin and sanctions on its developer, Kyrgyz issuer, and trading platform.

The EU blacklisted eight banks and oil traders from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, the UAE, and Hong Kong, as well as five Russian banks - including Alfa-Bank and MTS Bank - for sanctions circumvention.

The package also banned cooperation with Russia’s Mir and Fast Payments (SBP) systems and restricts economic ties with entities in nine Russian special economic zones.

Russian diplomats will now be required to notify EU states before travelling across the Schengen area. Member states may also impose authorisation requirements for such travel in response to Moscow’s alleged intelligence activities in Europe.

In response to the forced deportation of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children, the EU listed 11 additional individuals involved in these operations and introduced a new criterion for sanctioning those responsible for abduction, assimilation, or militarised education of minors.

The EU sanctioned military-industrial figures and foreign suppliers from the UAE, China, India, and Thailand who support Russia’s weapons production.

It also expanded export bans on electronics, chemicals, metals, and materials essential to Russia’s defense industry.
A total of 45 new entities aiding Russia’s military complex were added to the export control list, including 12 in China.

The new rules require prior authorisation for all services provided to the Russian government and restrict AI, quantum computing, high-performance computing, and commercial space services to Russian clients.
European companies are now prohibited from providing tourism-related services in Russia.

The sanctions also extend to five Belarusian entities linked to the Lukashenka regime and the country’s military sector. The EU further aligned its restrictions on crypto payments, software exports, and tech services with those imposed on Russia.