The European Council adopted a new package of restrictive measures in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, aimed at constraining Russia’s energy revenues and further disrupting its military industrial supply chains. The measures include a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, a full transaction ban on Rosneft and Gazprom Neft in relation to oil and gas imports into the European Union, and an extended import ban covering a variant of liquefied petroleum gas. The Decision also targets shadow fleet vessels and operators enabling Russia’s energy revenue streams, expands transaction bans to additional banks in Russia and third country banks in Central Asia, and introduces new restrictions linked to Russia’s Mir payment card system and the System for Fast Payments. It prohibits use of the A5A7 cryptocurrency and adds prohibitions on providing crypto services and certain fintech services, expands export restrictions to weaken Russia’s military industrial complex, targets Russia’s Special Economic Zones, imposes service bans limiting access to advanced digital capabilities, and prohibits re insurance services. In addition, Russian diplomats travelling across the EU beyond their country of accreditation must inform the relevant Member State in advance, and Member States may impose an authorisation requirement for such travel. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine aligned themselves with the Decision and committed to ensure their national policies conform to it.
European Council 2025-11-12
European Council adopts expanded Russia sanctions including ban on imports of Russian LNG and new banking and crypto restrictions
The European Council has adopted new measures against Russia's actions in Ukraine, focusing on energy revenue constraints and disrupting military supply chains. Key measures include bans on Russian liquefied natural gas imports, transactions with Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, and expanded restrictions on banks and the Mir payment system. Additional sanctions target shadow fleet vessels, impose export and service bans, and require Russian diplomats to notify Member States of travel beyond their accreditation.