The European Union is developing a new, 19th sanctions package against the Russian Federation aimed at increasing economic pressure to compel the Kremlin to end the war against Ukraine. This package is expected to include strict restrictions on the banking sector, energy companies, and cryptocurrency exchanges.
This is reported by Finway
EU and US coordinate sanctions pressure on Russia
According to preliminary information, the restrictions may affect approximately six Russian banks and a number of energy enterprises, as well as payment and credit systems associated with the Russian Federation. Additionally, there is a separate consideration for further tightening sanctions on crypto exchanges that may be used to circumvent financial restrictions.
“We must increase our pressure on Russia to agree to peace negotiations. This is what we are currently doing together with the United States. We are coordinating our efforts to align sanctions and make them more effective,” stated European Council President António Costa at a briefing in Helsinki.
European officials will soon travel to Washington to coordinate new measures with the American side. Coordination with the US will make the sanctions more effective and complicate Russia’s ability to circumvent restrictions.
Possible new restrictions and strengthening of measures
As part of the new sanctions package, the EU is considering the following initiatives:
- expanding sanctions on the “shadow” fleet of tankers and intermediaries involved in transporting Russian oil through third countries;
- a complete ban on reinsurance for vessels carrying Russian oil;
- restrictions on major Russian oil and gas corporations, including the possible cancellation of exemptions for Rosneft;
- imposing a ban on the export to Russia of certain goods and chemicals that may be used in military production;
- applying a special tool to counteract the circumvention of sanctions, particularly regarding Kazakhstan, which, according to European structures, helps Russia obtain equipment for the defense sector.
Additionally, there is discussion about introducing restrictions on visa issuance to Russian citizens, banning the use of European ports for sanctioned vessels, and prohibiting the provision of services in the field of artificial intelligence that may be used for military purposes.
The US is also preparing additional sanctions that may affect the so-called “shadow” fleet of Russian oil tankers and energy companies Rosneft and Lukoil. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that Washington expects synchronous decisions from Europe regarding new restrictions.
It is worth noting that the previous, 18th sanctions package of the EU, adopted in July 2025, already included restrictions on 22 Russian banks and a number of Chinese financial structures that helped Russia conduct cryptocurrency operations. Additionally, Ukraine and the United Kingdom recently imposed sanctions on the Russian crypto industry and related operations.
The preparation of the new sanctions package coincided with information from the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy about another attack by Russia on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure facilities, particularly in the capital and other regions, which led to electricity supply restrictions in several areas.