EU imposes new sanctions against Russia: details of the package
24 February 11:48
The EU has imposed the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes restrictions against the shadow fleet, new export and import bans, and sanctions against individuals and legal entities. This was announced in a press release of the EU Council of February 24, 2025, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The package of sanctions was adopted on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, the new package is aimed at depriving the Kremlin of funds to wage war and strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating position.
Individual sanctions
The sanctions list includes 83 new entries: 48 individuals and 35 entities responsible for undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU Council has also introduced two new criteria for imposing sanctions: restrictions can now be applied to owners and operators of vessels belonging to Putin’s “shadow fleet” and to persons who support or benefit from the Russian military-industrial complex.
Shadow fleet
The list of vessels prohibited from entering EU ports and receiving maritime transportation services has been expanded. The sanctions target non-European tankers that are part of Putin’s “shadow fleet” and circumvent the oil price cap, support Russia’s energy sector, or transport military equipment or stolen Ukrainian grain. The list includes 74 new vessels from third countries, bringing the total number of banned vessels to 153.
Finance and banking sector
For the first time, the EU imposes a ban on transactions with financial institutions outside Russia that use the Russian SPFS system (analogous to SWIFT). In addition, the ban on specialized financial messages is extended to 13 regional banks that are important for the Russian financial system.
Trade
The list of companies supporting the Russian military-industrial complex was expanded to include 53 new organizations. One-third of them are Russian, the rest are located in third countries (China, including Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE, and Uzbekistan). These companies are involved in circumventing trade restrictions or purchasing sensitive goods for Russian drones and missiles.
The list of prohibited goods has been expanded. It includes:
- chemical precursors for chlorine and other crowd control agents;
- software for CNC machines;
- chromium compounds;
- controllers for drones.
Additional restrictions have also been imposed on the export of goods that enhance Russian industrial capabilities (chemicals, certain plastics and rubber), their transit through Russia, and imports of primary aluminum.
Ban on broadcasting
The broadcasting licenses of eight Russian media outlets were suspended: EADaily/Eurasia Daily, Fondsk, Lenta, NewsFront, RuBaltic, SouthFront, Strategic Culture Foundation, and Krasnaya Zvezda/Tvzvezda. These media outlets are recognized as instrumental in supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
Ports and gateways
Any transactions with certain ports, gateways and airports in Russia that are used to transfer drones, missiles and related technologies or to circumvent oil price restrictions are prohibited.
Transportation
The ban on flights for Russian air carriers operating domestic flights in Russia has been extended. The ban on road transportation within the EU for companies that are 25% or more owned by Russian entities has been strengthened.
Energy sector
Additional restrictions on the export of technologies for oil and gas exploration, especially software, have been introduced. The provision of services for the temporary storage of Russian oil and oil products in the EU is prohibited.
Other restrictions
The provision of construction services is prohibited. Introduced verification requirements for European operators selling sensitive goods to third countries to prevent their re-export to Russia.
Belarus
Additional sanctions were introduced against Belarus, mirroring the restrictions against Russia, including restrictions on the sale of software, deposits and crypto-wallets, and transportation.
Crimea and other occupied territories
New restrictions have been introduced on the provision of services in the occupied territories. They relate to accounting, auditing, legal, IT consulting and other services.
The sanctions regime for the uncontrolled territories of Ukraine has been extended until February 2026.
