Energy sector measures: A total ban on Russian LNG

• One of the most impactful measures is the ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. This ban will take effect for long-term contracts starting January 2027 and within six months for short-term agreements.
• Furthermore, the EU has eliminated exemptions for major Russian energy companies, Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, further tightening restrictions on oil and gas imports.
• The sanctions also target Russia's "shadow fleet," with 117 additional vessels now banned from EU ports, bringing the total to 557. These ships, often used to bypass sanctions, will face restrictions on services and port access.
• Additional sanctions are notably imposed across the shadow fleet value chain, including on Litasco Middle East DMCC, Lukoil's prominent shadow fleet enabler based in the UA, as well as on maritime registries providing false flags to shadow fleet vessels.
• The port infrastructure ban enables the EU to list ports in third countries that are instrumental to the Russian war effort.

Additional listings

• The 19^th sanctions package contains 69 additional asset freeze listings.
• Such listings include a Russian energy company, a large Russian company involved in gold production, a Russian company managing the shadow fleet, and two Chinese refineries and an oil trader facilitating trade with Russia, among other legal and natural persons.

Financial measures: Closing loopholes

The EU has introduced sweeping financial restrictions, including:

• Transaction bans on five Russian banks
• Prohibitions on Russia's payment systems, such as Mir and SBP.
• Lists four financial institutions in Belarus and Kazakhstan that use the Russian payments system.

Trade and military restrictions

• The sanctions expand export bans on dual-use items and advanced technologies, including metals and chemicals critical for weapon production.
• Additional export bans cover products such as slats and ores, construction material and articles of rubber.
• Individual listings targeting businesspersons and companies involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex, as well as operators from the UAE and China engaged in the production or supply of military and dual-use goods in Russia.
• The EU has also listed 45 new entities involved in Russia's military-industrial complex or in the circumvention of sanctions, including companies in China, India and Thailand.

Measures targeting Russia's Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

• These zones aim to attract foreign investment and serve as key drivers of economic growth and infrastructure development.
• To clearly signal that EU businesses should avoid involvement, the 19^th sanctions package proposes a prohibition on entering into new contracts with any entity established in specific Russian SEZs.
• Two of these SEZs, Alabuga and Technopolis Moscow, will be subject to a ban that applies also to existing contracts.

Humanitarian concerns: Protecting Ukrainian children

• In response to the forced deportation and assimilation of Ukrainian children, the EU has listed 11 individuals involved in these activities.
• A new listing criterion has been introduced to streamline future sanctions against those responsible for such violations.

Diplomatic and service restrictions

• Russian diplomats will now face stricter travel regulations within the EU, requiring prior notification and in some cases, authorisation.
• Introduces service bans related to AI, high-performance computing, and tourism for Russian entities.

Belarus

• The package reflects similar trade, financial and services‑related measures in the Belarus sanctions regime consistent with past practice.
• Five new listings related to the Belarusian military‑industrial complex and the Lukashenka regime have also been decided.

As the EU continues to refine its sanctions framework, these measures underscore its commitment to supporting Ukraine and upholding international law. By targeting key sectors and addressing circumvention tactics, the EU aims to encourage a resolution to the conflict while mitigating its broader impacts.

The European Commission’s press release can be accessed here and the European Council’s here