The European Union has implemented its latest set of restrictive measures against Russia, marking the 19th such package since the conflict began. The new sanctions significantly expand financial pressure by prohibiting transactions with five major Russian banks and broadening restrictions on payment systems. Financial institutions in Belarus and Kazakhstan with connections to Russia are also included in the expanded banking prohibitions.
The measures specifically target 45 entities accused of facilitating sanctions evasion, including a dozen companies based in China and Hong Kong. In a move affecting maritime and aviation sectors, the EU will ban reinsurance services for Russian vessels and aircraft. Additionally, the package imposes sanctions against 117 vessels identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to circumvent oil restrictions.
Energy sector restrictions will see a prohibition on liquefied natural gas imports beginning in 2027, while existing limitations on transactions with two major Russian oil corporations will be tightened, though the specific companies weren’t named in the announcement.
Diplomatic movement will face new constraints under the measures, requiring Russian diplomats to provide advance notification of intended travel before crossing international borders. Moscow has previously indicated it would respond with countermeasures to any new restrictions.
These European measures follow similar actions taken by the United States, which recently imposed sanctions against Russian energy giants LUKOIL and Rosneft.
