EU expands sanctions on Russia with extensive 21st sanctions package

EU expands sanctions on Russia with extensive 21st sanctions package

The EU approved its 21st sanctions package on 23 July. The package continues to increase pressure on Russia by weakening Russia's ability to wage its war of aggression in Ukraine. The new sanctions enter into force on 23 July 2026. The package contains a record number of new listings. The EU also expands sanctions on the energy and financial sectors and on the shadow fleet and similarly expands the import and export ban lists. The package also tightens sanctions against Belarus.

The EU decided to implement a ban on Member States granting visas to applicants who serve or served in the armed forces of the Russian Federation or in armed groups linked to, controlled or led by the Russian government since 24 February 2022.

The EU decided to temporarily suspend the automatic amendment of the oil price cap mechanism. This will keep the price cap on Russian crude oil at the current level until 14 July 2027. The decision also includes the option to adjust the price cap again in early 2027. The temporary suspension was deemed necessary to ensure that the price cap remains low enough to reduce Russia's income from oil exports.

The EU is imposing sanctions on over 200 natural persons and entities. Sanctions are being imposed on representatives or supporters of the Russian administration, Russian business leaders and political actors, including people active in the culture and sports sectors. A significant number of Russian banks and financial institutions, parties supporting the Russian military-industrial complex as well as energy and technology sector companies in Russian and third countries are also added to the list of sanctioned entities.

The EU is adding 41 new vessels to the shadow fleet list. These latest additions increase the number of listed shadow fleet vessels to 692.

The EU is adding more than 20 entities to the transaction ban targeting financial and crypto operators and is tightening restrictions on crypto platforms and crypto-asset services in certain third countries. The EU also adds 33 Russian credit and financial institutions to the list of legal persons, entities or bodies subject to transaction bans. EU operators are prohibited to directly or indirectly engage in any transaction with a listed entity.

With respect to imports, the EU decided on additional restrictions and import bans on certain copper ores, nickel ores, lead ores, precious metal ores, unwrought zinc, alkaline earth metals, certain inorganic chemicals (zinc oxides and chrome oxides), tall oil, glassware, imitation pearls and car parts.

Regarding exports, the EU decided to tighten its sectoral sanctions by adding 51 new listings to the so-called export ban list. These include parties that are military end-users, form part of Russia's military and industrial complex, have commercial or other links with Russia's defence and security sector or otherwise support it.

Examples of additions to the export ban list include nickel powders, nickel metals and alloys of nickel used in corrosion-resistant coatings in jet engines; beryllium powders used in propellants and in high-performance alloys; self-adhesive films, tapes and strips used in the aerospace and defence sectors; aviation items specific to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as ground support equipment, jamming/interception systems, launch systems and servomotors; and flight termination systems for UAVs and or missiles.

The EU also decided to harmonise the financial and sectoral sanctions against Belarus with the sanctions against Russia.

The content of the 21st EU sanctions package is described in more detail in the appendix (PDF).

Links to the Council Decision and Regulations on changes to sanctions against Russian individuals.

• Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1845

• Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1844

• Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1843

Links to the Council Decision and Regulation on changes to sectoral sanctions against Russia.

• Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849

• Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1848

Links to the Council Decision and Regulations on expanding sanctions against Belarus

• Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1847

• Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1846

• Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1816

• Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1817