European Commission announces 20th package of sanctions against Russia

Just before the 1,500th day of the war in Ukraine, the European Union is rolling out its 20th package of sanctions. The new regulations follow the 19th package, which added 69 individuals and entities to the sanctions list and expanded restrictions in the areas of energy, finance, and defense. The 20th package of measures is intended to further reduce Russian export revenues and close identified circumvention channels. This is happening against the backdrop of declining Russian oil and gas revenues: in 2025, these fell by 24 percent compared to the previous year.

In the energy sector, the new measures introduce a full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil, coordinated with G7 partners. This builds on the 19th package, which set a 2027 deadline for ending long-term Russian LNG import contracts and prohibited the use of EU ports for the transshipment of Russian LNG to third countries. The EU is also increasing pressure on the shadow fleet, adding 43 vessels to the sanctions list for a total of 640. This is supported by previous actions in the 19th package that banned 117 tankers from port access and prohibited the provision of reinsurance to vessels suspected of circumventing the oil price cap.

Financial restrictions are also being tightened. The 20th package targets 20 additional Russian regional banks and introduces new measures against cryptocurrency platforms and stablecoins used to bypass traditional banking bans. This follows the 19th package’s sanctions on the state-supported stablecoin A7A5 and its Kyrgyz issuer, as well as the prohibition of transactions involving the Russian National Payment Card System Mir. To combat circumvention, the EU is sanctioning banks and traders in third countries, including China, the UAE, and Central Asian nations, that facilitate the trade of sanctioned goods.

Trade and export controls are being expanded to include goods worth over 360 million euros, such as rubber, tractors, and cybersecurity services. For the first time, the EU will activate its Anti-circumvention tool to block the export of computer numerical control machines to jurisdictions with a high risk of re-export to Russia. Additionally, new import bans on metals and chemicals worth 570 million euros have been proposed. These measures complement the 19th package’s focus on the military-industrial complex, which restricted the export of electronic components, UAV technology, and materials used in explosives.

Beyond economic measures, the EU continues to address the humanitarian impact of the conflict, including the forced transfer of Ukrainian children. The 19th package added 11 individuals to the sanctions list for these activities and introduced a new listing criterion to streamline future accountability. As the conflict enters its fourth year, the EU has approved a 90 billion euro loan to support Ukraines defense and is working with international partners on a long-term recovery framework. The 20th package serves as a continuation of the strategy to maintain economic pressure until a diplomatic resolution is reached.