EU Commission Unveils Details of 19th Sanctions Package Against Russia
19 September 2025
19 September 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined the EU’s proposed 19th round of sanctions targeting Russia. If approved, the package would introduce several new measures, including:
• A complete ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports into the EU starting January 2027;
• Sanctions on 118 additional vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”;
• A full ban on transactions involving Russian energy giants Rosneft and Gazpromneft;
• Asset freezes targeting refineries, oil traders, and petrochemical firms based in third countries, including China;
• Expanded transaction bans covering more Russian and foreign banks;
• Sanctions on cryptocurrency networks and Russian financial institutions tied to alternative payment systems, including a ban on crypto transactions;
• Restrictions on dealing with entities operating in special economic zones associated with the war in Ukraine;
• Stricter export controls on military-related technologies, including drones; and
• Export restrictions on 45 newly designated companies.
• A complete ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports into the EU starting January 2027;
• Sanctions on 118 additional vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”;
• A full ban on transactions involving Russian energy giants Rosneft and Gazpromneft;
• Asset freezes targeting refineries, oil traders, and petrochemical firms based in third countries, including China;
• Expanded transaction bans covering more Russian and foreign banks;
• Sanctions on cryptocurrency networks and Russian financial institutions tied to alternative payment systems, including a ban on crypto transactions;
• Restrictions on dealing with entities operating in special economic zones associated with the war in Ukraine;
• Stricter export controls on military-related technologies, including drones; and
• Export restrictions on 45 newly designated companies.
The proposed package still requires unanimous approval from all EU member states.
The EU’s previous, 18th sanctions package was adopted in July 2025. A key measure from that round — an oil price cap — came into effect on 3 September 2025. Von der Leyen also confirmed that G7 countries intend to align with the latest EU sanctions.
The EU’s previous, 18th sanctions package was adopted in July 2025. A key measure from that round — an oil price cap — came into effect on 3 September 2025. Von der Leyen also confirmed that G7 countries intend to align with the latest EU sanctions.
