EU adopts 20th sanctions package against Russia
Published
The EU’s 20th package of sanctions includes comprehensive measures that hit the Russian economy, including Russia’s energy revenues and the shadow fleet. The package also includes measures against sanctions evasion, crypto services and access to sensitive technology used on the battlefield.
“Now the EU Member States have finally been able to agree on a 20th sanctions package against Russia. In recent months, Sweden has pushed for fresh sanctions to be introduced as soon as possible. Now, work on a 21st sanctions package needs to begin immediately, with even tougher measures against Russian energy exports, such as a ban on providing services to all ships leaving Russian ports with oil, gas or coal,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.
The sanctions package introduces more measures to limit the Russian shadow fleet, including a transaction ban covering more Russian oil ports and refineries in third countries involved in the evasion of EU sanctions. A further 46 ships that are part of the Russian shadow fleet have also been added to the sanctions list. The sanctions package paves the way for the EU to adopt a maritime services ban to replace the oil price cap that was introduced in December 2022.
It also introduces a ban on offering Russian operators terminal services for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 1 January 2027. Furthermore, the package includes new requirements to ensure that tankers from the EU are not sold on to Russian operators or for use in Russia to transport oil. It imposes a ban on the provision of services to Russian-flagged, Russian-owned or Russian-managed LNG vessels and icebreakers involved in Russian energy exports.
For the first time, the EU’s anti-circumvention tool, which prohibits the export of certain goods to third countries, is also being used. New export restrictions are therefore being introduced to limit Russia’s access to advanced technology. The sanctions target an additional 60 companies in Russia and third countries based on their support of the Russian military industry.
Furthermore, additional financial institutions have been added to the list of entities subject to a transaction ban, including institutions in third countries. The package also expands measures targeting sanctions evasion via crypto-assets.
In addition, the sanctions package includes measures linked to Belarus’ support for Russia’s aggression.
Correction
In a previous version of the press release, it was stated that an additional 43 ships that are part of the Russian shadow fleet have been added to the sanctions list. The correct figure is 46 ships.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 112 78 19
email to Sara E Persson
EU sanctions against Russia
EU sanctions against Russia were introduced in response to the launch of its aggression in 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and its attempts to destabilise Ukraine began. Since the launch of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the EU has expanded the measures in 20 sanctions packages.
