The European Union has adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia on 23 April 2026. The new measures include 120 additional individuals and entities, as well as multi-layered economic restrictions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy. The package has been described as the largest in the past two years.
In the energy sector, the EU is preparing a ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil and petroleum products, in coordination with the G7. The sanctions list now includes 36 companies in the oil sector involved in extraction, refining, and transportation, as well as 46 vessels linked to the so-called “shadow fleet”.
The EU has imposed a transaction ban on 20 Russian banks. In addition, four financial institutions from third countries have been sanctioned for helping Russia circumvent restrictions. A Kyrgyz crypto platform linked to the A7A5 stablecoin has also been designated. The EU has further banned Russian crypto services, transactions involving the RUBx cryptocurrency, and any support for the development of the digital ruble.
Sanctions were also imposed on 58 companies and individuals involved in the production of weapons, including drones. Measures additionally target 16 companies from China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus for supplying goods or technologies to Russia’s military sector. A further 60 companies are subject to stricter export controls due to the risk of their products being used in Russia’s defence industry.
Separately, the EU is tightening efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention through third countries. It has banned exports of certain technological goods to Kyrgyzstan due to the risk of re-export to Russia. The EU has also expanded the list of restricted export and import goods that generate significant revenue for Russia or can be used in industry and defence.