The EU is preparing super sanctions against Russia, which are unlikely to be implemented
8 July 2025 09:10
The European Union is developing a new package of sanctions against Russia, which should be the most severe since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression. This was stated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing Ukrayinska Pravda.
According to the French diplomat, the preparation of new restrictive measures is being carried out on the French initiative in close coordination with U.S. senators. Barrot emphasized that the need to increase sanctions pressure is due to the sharp increase in the intensity of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The minister noted that after US President Donald Trump announced a proposal for a 30-day truce, which was supported by Kyiv, the number of Russian strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine increased fivefold.
“This is unacceptable and must be stopped. To achieve this goal, Europe, in coordination with U.S. senators, is preparing to introduce the most stringent sanctions in three years, based on French proposals,”
– Barro said.
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What will be in the package
The new sanctions package is aimed at “directly depleting the resources that allow Vladimir Putin to continue the war”. The restrictive measures will affect not only the energy sector and oil export revenues, but also financial players both in Russia and abroad.
Particular attention will be paid to legal entities and individuals who help the Kremlin circumvent the sanctions already imposed. According to Barrot, it is thanks to these schemes that Putin retains the ability to continue military operations despite growing international pressure.
The French minister also noted that Russian forces are no longer advancing on the frontline, limiting themselves to shelling residential areas with drones and missiles, which leads to numerous civilian casualties.
However, the EU’s preparation of sanctions does not mean that they will be applied. The 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia is currently blocked by Slovakia’s position during a meeting of EU ambassadors on July 4.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced Donald Trump’s support for the adoption of a bill on additional sanctions against Russia, including a 500 percent duty on goods from countries that buy Russian oil.
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EU sanctions against Russia
The European Union has already imposed 17 sanctions packages against Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions cover a wide range of measures aimed at weakening the Russian economy and limiting Russia’s ability to wage war.
Key sanctions include freezing the assets of Russian officials, including President Putin, restricting Russia’s access to EU financial markets, a ban on imports of Russian energy (coal, oil), and restrictions on exports of dual-use technologies and goods that could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities.
The EU also imposed sanctions against Russian banks, excluding some of them from the SWIFT system, banned Russian ships and trucks from accessing EU ports and territory, and restricted the activities of Russian media in the Union. In addition, restrictions were imposed on investments in the Russian energy sector and a ban on the export of luxury goods to Russia.
The sanctions also target individuals and organizations involved in the aggression against Ukraine, including politicians, military, businessmen and propagandists. The EU regularly expands its sanctions lists by adding new names and tightening existing restrictions.
Some sanctions packages are aimed at combating sanctions circumvention, strengthening export and import controls, and restricting Russia’s access to technologies and goods that could be used for military purposes.
