The EU has unveiled its 21st package of sanctions against Russia: what restrictions will be imposed
9 June 16:18
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the 21st package of anti-war sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, June 9, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing DW.
In particular, it includes a ban on entry into the European Union for participants in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The European Commission proposes banning entry into the EU for anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine.
“Europe remains closed to anyone who participated in the invasion of Ukraine,” von der Leyen said while speaking to reporters.
Other restrictions are expected to affect the energy sector, the financial sector, trade, and, for the first time, the fishing industry.
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“The goal of our package is absolutely clear: we want to fully maintain the intensity of our sanctions,” Ursula von der Leyen noted.
According to her, the current restrictive measures are already putting pressure on the Russian economy: Russia’s energy revenues fell by approximately 40 percent at the start of 2026.
In the energy sector, the European Commission proposes adding another 30 vessels from Russia’s “shadow fleet” to the sanctions list—in addition to the 632 that are already subject to restrictions. For the first time, the EU also intends to impose measures against vessels that assist the “shadow fleet,” for example by providing refueling services. Infrastructure facilities involved in the trade and processing of Russian oil may also be subject to restrictions.
Brussels proposes expanding the ban on transactions to include 31 more Russian banks
In the financial sector, Brussels proposes to expand the ban on transactions to include 31 more Russian banks, as well as 20 banks, crypto companies, and oil traders in third countries that help circumvent sanctions.
In addition, the package includes new restrictions on the export of goods and technologies used by the Russian defense industry, including components for drones. New import bans on a range of goods from Russia worth approximately €60 million are also proposed.
For the first time, sanctions may affect the fishing sector: the European Commission proposes to restrict imports of a number of fish products and completely ban imports of some of them.
The package must now be unanimously approved by EU member states. EC representatives have repeatedly emphasized that when preparing each new sanctions package, Brussels seeks ways to close existing loopholes and increase pressure on Russia. The EU’s goal is to limit as much as possible the revenue that allows Russia to continue the war against Ukraine.
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