The European Commission has put forward a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, spanning energy, financial services and trade, with measures designed to further restrict Russian oil and gas exports, tighten banking constraints and broaden import and export controls. On energy, the package proposes a full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil, to be enacted in coordination with like-minded partners following a G7 decision. It also lists 43 additional vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet”, bringing the total to 640, and adds restrictions aimed at limiting Russia’s ability to acquire tankers, alongside bans on maintenance and other services for LNG tankers and icebreakers. On financial services, the Commission proposes listing 20 additional Russian regional banks and measures targeting cryptocurrencies, crypto trading companies and platforms, as well as several third-country banks involved in facilitating illegal trade in sanctioned goods. On trade, it proposes new export bans on goods and services including rubber, tractors and cybersecurity services (over €360 million), new import bans on metals, chemicals and critical minerals (over €570 million), further export controls on items and technologies used for Russia’s battlefield effort, and a quota on ammonia to cap existing imports. The package would also activate the EU’s Anti-circumvention tool for the first time by banning exports of certain computer numerical control machines and radios to jurisdictions assessed as high risk for re-export to Russia, and introduce stronger legal safeguards for EU companies facing IP violations or expropriation in Russia linked to sanctions; Member States are called on to endorse the measures.
European Commission 2026-02-06
European Commission proposes 20th Russia sanctions package with maritime services ban for crude oil and expanded bank and trade restrictions
The European Commission proposed a 20th sanctions package against Russia, targeting energy, financial services, and trade to restrict Russian oil and gas exports, tighten banking constraints, and broaden import and export controls. Key measures include a maritime services ban on Russian crude oil, listing additional vessels linked to Russia, targeting cryptocurrencies and third-country banks, and introducing new export and import bans, with Member States urged to endorse the package.