The European Union has adopted its 19th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation – a new round of measures to counter Moscow’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Adopted on 23 October 2025, the package aims to curb Russia’s capacity to finance and sustain its war, focusing on the gas and oil trade, financial institutions, and military-industrial supply chains. The decision came amid fresh escalation: Russian missile strikes hit near the EU Delegation in Kyiv, and within days, dozens of Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace, violating the territory of both an EU and NATO member state.
Scope
The European Commission first unveiled the 19th package on 19 September 2025, a month before its formal adoption. Its key components include:
Energy restrictions: a phased ban on Russian LNG imports, with a full cutoff by 1 January 2027; sanctions against around 100 tankers from Moscow’s “shadow fleet”; and new measures targeting Rosneft, Gazpromneft, and their subsidiaries.
Third-country involvement: for the first time, the EU sanctioned foreign entities, including Chinese oil traders and two refineries, for facilitating Russian sanctions evasion.
Financial sector: new prohibitions on transactions with Alfa Bank, MTS-Bank, and other subsidiaries operating in Kazakhstan and Belarus; restrictions on crypto platforms and the MIR payment system used to bypass financial controls.
Export controls: further bans on technologies with battlefield applications, particularly for drone production.
Ukraine’s Commissioner for Sanctions Policy characterized the package as “one of the EU’s most comprehensive and effective measures to date.”
Still, the adoption process took over a month — from its initial presentation in September to its entry into force in late October.
Listings of persons and entities
Personal Sanctions:
- Principal of the Moscow-based Higher School of Economics, where a course on circumventing sanctions was taught;
- Representatives of the Russian military-industrial complex (Uzbek businessman Muminov, involved in the supply of cellulose products to Russian powder factories, AvtoVAZ JSC and its director Sokolov, Sarapul Electric Generator Plant JSC);
- Litasco Middle East DMCC — logistics operator and trader;
- 11 individuals involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children and their “re-education” (Adamenko, Domogatsky, and others);
- Russian gold mining company PJSC “Polyus”.
Military-industrial complex:
- 45 legal entities, including Berg Central Research and Development Institute, GNSS Plus LLC;
- 11 special economic, innovation, and preferential zones, including the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, where mass production of Shahed/Geran UAVs is carried out, and the Innovation Center in Skolkovo.
Background Information and Expectations
EU authorities was preparing to introduce the 19th package of sanctions against Russia in September 2025. Retrospectively, public expectations regarding its exact scope remained rather divided.
Oil. According to Politico, no major new restrictions on Russian oil were likely, mainly because the latest sanctions packages have allegedly heavily targeted Russian’s energy exports. Similarly, energy market analysts argued that there is little room left for impactful new oil sanctions at all.
Banking/Finance. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has publicly noted that other energy, financial/banking-related and secondary sanctions were being considered.
At the same time, Ukrainian authorities were calling to include Russia`s oil drilling, refining and transporting infrastructure, as well as shadow fleet, maritime terminals, port infrastructure, and possibly insurance companies.
Backing the Ukrainian position, several governments, including France, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, have publicly called for a stronger package to keep pressure on Moscow.
Finally, French and Finnish officials stressed that sanctions will only be truly effective if the U.S. joins European efforts in hardening measures against Moscow.
Overall, as mentioned by Kaja Kallas, the 19th package of sanctions makes it “increasingly harder for Putin to fund this war”.
Chronology of EU Sanctions Packages Against Russia
First. 22 February 2022
- sanctions against 351 members of the Russian State Duma who voted in favour of the recognition of the non-government-controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts
- Restrictions on economic relations with the non-government-controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts
- A sectoral prohibition on financing the Russian state, government, and Central Bank, restricting their access to the EU’s capital and financial markets and services
Second. 25 February 2022
- sanctions against Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov, and members of the Russian State Duma and the National Security Council, among others
- economic sanctions covering the finance, energy, transport and technology sectors
- further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology, including semiconductors or cutting-edge technologies
- ban on the sale of all aircrafts, spare parts and equipment to Russian aviation and space industry
- export ban on specific goods and technologies in oil refining
- the partial suspension of the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia
Third. 28 February – 2 March 2022
- sanctions against 26 individuals and one entity
- the closure of EU airspace to all Russian aircraft
- a ban on transactions with the Russian Central Bank
- a SWIFT ban imposed on seven Russian banks
- a ban on the provision of euro-denominated banknotes to Russia
- the suspension of the broadcasting in the EU of Russia Today and Sputnik
Sectoral sanctions package. 9 March 2022
- sanctions against 160 individuals, including 146 members of the Russian Federation Council
- restrictions on exports of maritime navigation and radiocommunications technology
Fourth. 15 March 2022
- sanctions against 15 individuals and 9 entities, including Roman Abramovich and German Khan
- expansion of the list of persons and entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- a ban on all transactions with certain state-owned enterprises
- a ban on the provision of credit-rating services to any Russian person or entity
- a ban on new investments in the Russian energy sector
- a ban on imports of iron and steel from Russia to the EU
- a ban on exports to Russia of luxury goods
Fifth. 8 April 2022
- sanctions against 217 individuals and 18 entities
- the closure of EU ports to all Russian vessels
- a ban on Russian road transport operators from entering the EU
- a ban on imports from Russia of coal and other solid fossil fuels
- a ban on imports from Russia of wood, cement, seafood and liquor
- quotas on imports of potassium chloride
- a ban on exports to Russia of jet fuel and advanced technology, including advanced semiconductors, high-end electronics, sensitive machinery
- a ban on the provision of high-value crypto assets
- a ban on being a beneficiary of or acting as a trustee for Russian persons and entities
Sixth. 03 June 2022
- sanctions against 18 entities and 65 individuals
- the expansion of the list of persons and entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- a ban on imports from Russia of crude oil and refined petroleum products
- a ban on reselling to other member states or third countries Russian oil imported via pipeline
- a ban on the provision of insurance and financing of the transportation of Russian oil to third countries
- a ban on exports of additional goods and technology
- a SWIFT ban imposed on three additional Russian banks
- the suspension of the broadcasting in the EU of Rossiya RTR / RTR Planeta, Rossiya 24 / Russia 24 and TV Centre International
- a ban on the provision of accounting, auditing, bookkeeping and consulting services to Russia
- the possibility of confiscating the proceeds of sanction breaches
Seventh. 21 July 2022
- sanctions against 54 individuals and 10 entities
- an obligation for sanctioned individuals and entities to report assets within the jurisdiction of EU member states
- a ban on imports of gold of Russian origin, including jewellery
- the reinforcement of controls on exports of dual-use goods
- the extension of the port access ban to locks
- prior authorisation for deposits for non-prohibited cross-border trade
- clarification of and certain exemptions from existing measures, including in the field of trade, aviation and justice
Eights. 06 October 2022
- sanctions against 30 individuals and 7 entities
- the introduction of a new listing criterion targeting persons who facilitate infringements of the prohibition on circumventing sanctions
- a price cap relating to the maritime transport of Russian oil for third countries
- a prohibition on transactions with the Russian Maritime Shipping Register
- a ban on imports from Russia of several goods, including certain elements used in jewellery (e.g. stones and precious metals), wood pulp and paper, cigarettes, plastics and cosmetics
- a further import ban on steel products from Russia
- further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology
- a ban on exports to Russia of civilian firearms, ammunition, military vehicles and paramilitary equipment
- a ban on the provision of crypto-wallets to Russian persons
- a ban on the provision of architectural and engineering services, IT consultancy services and legal advisory services to Russia
- a ban on EU nationals holding any posts on the governing bodies of certain Russian state owned or state-controlled legal persons, entities or bodies
Ninth. 16 December 2022
- sanctions against 141 individuals and 49 entities
- 168 new entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- a ban on exports of goods and technology in the aviation and space industry, including drone engines
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of dual-use goods and technologies
- a ban on investments in the Russian mining sector
- a ban on transactions with the Russian Regional Development Bank
- a ban on the provision of advertising, market research and public opinion polling services
- the suspension of the broadcasting in the EU of four additional Russian media outlets: NTV/NTV Mir, Rossiya 1, REN TV and Pervyi Kanal
Tenth. 25 February 2023
- sanctions against 87 individuals and 34 entities, including Iranian persons and entities involved in the manufacture and supply of drones
- 96 new entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- a ban on imports from Russia of asphalt and synthetic rubber
- a ban on exports to Russia of further critical technology and industrial goods
- a ban on the provision of gas storage capacity to Russians
- the suspension of the broadcasting in the EU of RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic
- restrictions on Russian nationals holding any position on the governing bodies of EU critical infrastructures and entities
- a ban on the transit via Russian territory of dual-use goods and technology and of arms
- reporting obligations to ensure the effectiveness of sanctions
Eleventh. 23 June 2023
- sanctions against 71 individuals and 33 entities
- 87 new entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of dual-use goods and technologies
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of goods which contribute to the enhancement of Russia's industrial capabilities
- a ban on the transit via Russian territory of additional goods and technology
- a ban on the transportation of goods into the EU by road by trailers and semi-trailers registered in Russia
- a ban on access to EU ports and locks imposed on any vessels that engage in ship-to-ship transfers
- a ban on access to EU ports and locks imposed on any vessels that illegally interfere with, switch off or disable their navigation systems when transporting Russian oil
- the suspension of the broadcasting in the EU of five additional media outlets: RT Balkan, Oriental Review, Tsargrad, New Eastern Outlook and Katehon
- a ban on the sale, licensing or transfer of intellectual property rights or trade secrets
Sanctions against Belarus. 3 August 2023
- expand the ban on exports to Belarus to a number of highly sensitive goods and technologies which contribute to Belarus's military and technological enhancement;
- additional export ban on firearms and ammunition, and on goods and technology suited for use in aviation and the space industry
Twelfth. 18 December 2023
- sanctions against 61 individuals and 86 entities
- 29 new entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- a ban on the importation, purchase or transfer of diamonds from Russia, including jewellery
- a ban on imports from Russia of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and certain metal goods, such as propane, pig iron, copper and aluminium wires, foil, tubes and pipes
- a requirement for all EU exporters to contractually prohibit re-exportation to Russia and re exportation for use in Russia of certain goods and technology (the 'no-Russia clause')
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of dual-use goods and technologies
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of goods which contribute to the enhancement of Russia's industrial capabilities
- a ban on the provision of software services for enterprise management and industrial design
Thirteenth. 23 February 2024
- sanctions against 106 individuals and 88 entities, including persons involved in the supply of armaments by North Korea to Russia
- 27 new entities associated with Russia's defence and industrial base
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of dual-use goods and technologies, including drone components
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of goods which contribute to the enhancement of Russia's industrial capabilities, including electrical transformers
Fourteenth. 24 June 2024
- additional sanctions against 69 individuals and 47 entities
- a ban on re-exports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG)
- a ban on new investments in Russian LNG projects
- further restrictions on imports of helium
- further restrictions on exports to Russia of goods which contribute to the enhancement of Russia's industrial capabilities
- outlawing the use of the 'System for the Transfer of Financial Messages' developed by the Central Bank of Russia
- a ban on political parties, foundations and NGOs accepting funding from Russia
- a ban on port access by and the provision of services to vessels contributing to Russia's war
- a wider EU flight ban and a ban on the transportation of goods by road
- the suspension of the broadcasting in the EU of Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Sanctions against Belarus – alignment package. 29 June 2024
- a ban on imports from Belarus of gold, diamonds, helium, coal and mineral products, including crude oil
- further restrictions on exports to Belarus of dual-use goods and technologies
- further restrictions on exports to Belarus of goods which contribute to Belarus's industrial capacity
- a ban on exports to Belarus of maritime navigation goods and luxury goods
- a requirement for all EU exporters to contractually prohibit the re-exportation to Belarus and re-exportation for use in Belarus of certain goods and technology (the 'no-Belarus clause')
- a ban on the provision of services to Belarus in the accounting, auditing, architectural, engineering, IT, legal advisory and advertising fields
- a broader ban on the transportation of goods by road within EU territory
- a ban on the transit via the territory of Belarus of dual-use goods and technology
Fifteenth. 16 December 2024
- sanctions against 54 individuals and 30 entities
- ban on port access and the provision of services related to maritime transport for a further 52 vessels that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet
- export restrictions on dual use goods and technologies for 32 new entities, some located in third countries
- ban on the recognition or enforcement in the EU of rulings issued by Russian courts based on Article 248 of the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation
Sixteenth. 24 February 2025
- sanctions against 48 individuals and 35 entities
- a ban on port access and on providing services related to maritime transport for a further 74 vessels that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet
- a transaction ban on credit or financial institutions established outside Russia that use the 'System for Transfer of Financial Messages'
- a ban on the provision of specialised financial messaging services to 13 regional banks
- export restrictions on dual use goods and technologies for 53 new entities, two thirds located in third countries
- further export restrictions on goods and technologies in the industry and energy sectors
- suspension of broadcasting licences for eight additional Russian media outlets
- a ban on transactions with certain ports, locks and airports in Russia
- a wider flight ban for listed air carriers operating domestic flights within Russia
- new restrictions in Crimea and Sevastopol, and in the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia
Seventeenth. 20 May 2025
- sanctions against 17 individuals and 58 entities, including Surgutneftegas
- a ban on port access and on providing services related to maritime transport for a further 189 vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet
- export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies for 31 new entities, some of which located in third countries
- further export restrictions on goods which contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement, including chemical precursors to energetic materials and spare parts for machine tools
Eighteenth. 18 July 2025
- sanctions against 14 individuals and 41 entities
- lowering the price cap for crude oil from $60 to $47.6 per barrel
- import ban on refined petroleum products made from Russian crude oil and coming from any third country
- a port access ban on 105 further vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet
- a full transaction ban on Nord Stream 1 and 2
- upgrading the ban on providing EU-based specialised financial messaging services to Russian banks to a full transaction ban and applying it to an additional 22 Russian banks
- a ban on carrying out any transaction with the Russian Direct Investment Fund
- export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies for 26 new entities, some of which are located in third countries