As of July 2026, the Council of the European Union has adopted 21 sanctions packages against the Russian Federation and entities supporting its military aggression against Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
1st sanctions package, 22 February 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0262&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0262&qid=1711454835224)
The EU has responded to the Russian Federation’s recognition of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as ‘sovereign independent states’ by imposing targeted sanctions against 23 individuals, including members of the Russian Government, high-ranking military officials and senior executives of banking institutions, as well as four legal entities involved in the recognition process.
Second package of sanctions, 25 February 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0328&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0328&qid=1711454835224).
In response to the launch of full-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the EU imposed targeted sanctions against senior Russian officials, including President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov, and extended sanctions against Belarus.
Third package of sanctions, 28 February 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0334&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0334&qid=1711454835224).
It covers targeted sanctions against individuals, including Russian oligarchs and businesspeople, designed to deal a blow to the Russian economy, as well as other measures such as the complete closure of EU airspace to Russian aviation, the exclusion of certain banks from the SWIFT financial system, the freezing of assets held by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, and a ban on investment in projects co-financed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
4th package of sanctions, 15 March 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0428&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0428&qid=1711454835224).
The EU has imposed additional export restrictions, in particular on dual-use goods and technologies that could be used in the defence sector. A ban on new investments in Russia’s energy sector and restrictions on the provision of credit rating services to Russian companies have also been introduced. Measures targeting Russian oligarchs were also introduced as part of this sanctions package.
5th package of sanctions, 8 April 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0576&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0576&qid=1711454835224).
In response to the Russian Federation’s continued military aggression, the EU is significantly stepping up economic pressure by imposing a ban on imports of Russian coal. This decision is aimed at cutting off the substantial revenues Russia derives from selling coal on the European market. In addition, the package includes a complete ban on financial transactions with major Russian banks, further isolating the Russian financial system from the global market.
6th sanctions package, 3 June 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0879&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0879&qid=1711454835224).
The package imposes an embargo on Russian oil imports, marking a decisive step towards reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy resources. As part of the package, additional Russian banks were cut off from the SWIFT system, and a ban was introduced on the provision of specific services to Russian companies, including accounting, auditing, consultancy and PR services. This is aimed at restricting Russian companies’ access to international markets and services, with the aim of reducing their ability to operate globally.
7th package of sanctions, 21 July 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R1269&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R1269&qid=1711454835224).
This package includes a ban on legal entities, organisations or bodies outside the EU that are controlled by Russian citizens or persons resident in Russia from making investments in the EU if the total value of the investments exceeds 100,000 euros. A ban has also been introduced on the import of gold and gold products from Russia into the EU or into any third country, including jewellery. As part of this package, targeted sanctions have also been imposed on 54 individuals and 10 legal entities.
8th sanctions package, 6 October 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R1904&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R1904&qid=1711454835224).
Targeted sanctions have been imposed on 37 individuals and legal entities, focusing on war crimes, including representatives of the illegal authorities, individuals involved in organising illegal referendums, the command structure and leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence, well-known Russian singers and ideologues of the ‘Russian World’, as well as certain financial institutions and defence industry companies. Price caps on oil have been introduced and bans on imports of certain categories of goods from Russia have been extended, which is expected to cause losses to the Russian economy amounting to 7 billion euros.
9th round of sanctions, 16 December 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2474&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2022:322I:FULL).
Tighter export control measures have been adopted, in particular regarding chemical and nerve agents, night-vision equipment, radio navigation, electronics and IT components that could be used by the Russian military. A further 168 companies have been added to the list of military organisations prohibited from authorising the sale, supply, transfer or export of goods and technologies. Expansion of targeted sanctions.
10th sanctions package, 25 February 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R0427&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2023:059I:FULL).
The EU’s 10th sanctions package focuses primarily on measures targeting those responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children. The package also includes sanctions against 150 individuals linked to Russian propaganda and disinformation. In addition, restrictions have been imposed on exports to the EU of synthetic rubber and bituminous mastic, indicating the EU’s intention to limit Russia’s access to key markets for goods that could be used in military or other critical sectors.
11th sanctions package, 23 June 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1214&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2023:159I:FULL).
The 11th EU sanctions package expands the tools for combating sanctions evasion, including strengthened import and export controls and a ban on the transit through the EU of dual-use goods that could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities. In addition to stepping up cooperation with third countries and providing them with technical assistance, the package provides for the application of targeted restrictive measures against entities from third countries that facilitate the circumvention of sanctions, with the aim of effectively restricting Russia’s access to vital resources.
12th sanctions package, 18 December 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R2878&qid=1711454835224).
This EU sanctions package imposes restrictions on 60 individuals and 85 legal entities from the Russian Federation and Belarus. A key element of the package is a ban on the trade in Russian diamonds, as well as restrictions on metallurgical and industrial products, aimed at reducing Russia’s vital export revenues. The package also tightens restrictions on access to EU ports for vessels flying the Russian flag and extends the ban on the provision of certain critical services to the Russian economy, including the architecture, engineering, IT and legal services sectors, thereby specifically reducing Russia’s ability to circumvent the sanctions.
13th sanctions package, 23 February 2024 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202400745, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202400746).
The 13th package of sanctions, adopted by the EU to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tightens restrictions on the supply of critical technologies to Russia, particularly those that could be used in the defence sector, and dual-use goods. The package bans the import into the EU of Russian goods, including certain types of metals and chemical products, with the aim of reducing funding for the Russian military machine. It also includes targeted sanctions against individuals and companies that play a key role in supporting Russia’s military efforts or assist in circumventing international sanctions.
In total, these EU restrictive measures apply to over 2,100 individuals and legal entities. These individuals and entities are subject to an asset freeze, a ban on the provision of funds to them, and a ban on entry into the EU and transit through EU territory (https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine/).
14th package of sanctions, 24 June 2024 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401738, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401739 and https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202401745)
The Council of the EU has decided to impose restrictive measures against 69 individuals (among whom the most notorious are I. Okhlobystin, media manager A. Gabrelyanov, singers Y.Dronov (Shaman) and Polina Gagarina, and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy A. Moiseyev), and 47 entities (including, amongst others, ‘Volga-Dnepr Group’, ‘Ural Airlines’, ‘Sovcomflot’, ‘Kompel’ and ‘Railways of Novorossiya’). Sanctions have also been imposed on 61 companies (28 Russian and 33 foreign (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates)) that were involved in circumventing trade restrictions and procuring sensitive items used, for example, in the manufacture of drones.
The EU has banned, within its territory, the transhipment of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries.
Provisions have been introduced regarding the liability of European companies for the activities of their branches in third countries.
A ban has been introduced on the use of the ‘Financial Messaging System’, a specialised financial messaging service developed by the Central Bank of Russia to neutralise the effect of restrictive measures. EU organisations operating outside Russia will be prohibited from connecting to the ‘Financial Messaging System’ or equivalent specialised financial messaging services.
In total, these EU restrictive measures apply to more than 2,300 individuals and legal entities. These individuals and entities are subject to asset freezes, are prohibited from receiving funds, and are barred from entering the EU and transiting through EU territory (https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine/).
Currently, a separate EU sanctions list includes 648 Russian, Belarusian and foreign companies linked to the Russian defence-industrial complex and to the circumvention of sanctions.
On 29 June 2024, the Council of the EU adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1864 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401864) and Regulation (CFSP) 2024/1865 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401865) concerning a specific package of economic restrictive measures against Belarus.
The Council of the EU has imposed restrictive measures targeting the Belarusian economy, in view of the regime’s involvement in Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. These comprehensive measures are designed to mirror a series of restrictive measures already in place against Russia, thereby addressing the issue of sanctions circumvention arising from the high level of integration between the Russian and Belarusian economies.
On 5 August 2024, the Council adopted EU Decision (CFSP) 2024/2116, imposing restrictive measures on a further 28 individuals for their involvement in the ongoing internal repression and human rights violations in Belarus.
On 14 October this year, the Council of the EU adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2698 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202402698), pursuant to which restrictive measures are imposed on seven Iranian nationals and seven organisations (in addition to Decision 2023/1532/CFSP) that provide support to Russia in its military aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and organisations, and that undermine peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.
2 December 2024 the Council of the EU adopted a decision to extend and update the list of natural and legal persons and entities subject to restrictive measures in connection with serious human rights violations worldwide, including torture and the systematic and widespread use of sexually and gender-based crimes (CFSP) 2020/1999, for a further year – until 8 December 2025. Currently, under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02020D1999-20240722), restrictive measures are in place against 116 individuals and 33 organisations from various countries, including 12 individuals and 1 organisation in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The 15th package of sanctions was adopted by EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3182 of 16 December 2024 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403182). The Council of the EU has decided to impose restrictive measures on 54 individuals and has added 30 companies to the list of legal entities, comprising Russian defence companies and shipping companies responsible for the transport of crude oil and petroleum products by sea, which generate significant revenue for the Russian government. The Council has added 52 new vessels to the list of those subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of maritime transport-related services. Separately, the EU Council has added 32 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex in its aggressive war against Ukraine.
On 16 December 2024, the EU Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/3175 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403175) imposing restrictive measures on 26 natural persons and 2 legal entities in connection with the situation in Belarus and its involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In total, the EU’s restrictive measures against Belarus currently apply to 287 natural persons and 39 legal entities. These individuals are subject to an asset freeze, a ban on the provision of funds to them, and a ban on entry into the EU and transit through EU territory.
On 16 December 2024, EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3174 was adopted, introducing, for the first time, restrictive measures against 16 individuals and 3 legal entities involved in Russia’s destabilising activities abroad (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202403174).
The 16th package of individual and economic restrictive measures was adopted on 24 February 2024 by EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/394 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/389. In particular, targeted restrictive measures have been imposed on 48 natural persons and 35 legal entities, 53 new entities directly supporting the Russian Federation’s military-industrial complex, and a further 74 vessels of the shadow fleet have been sanctioned.
The 16th package includes further restrictive measures against Belarus, reflecting the trade-related sanctions agreed against the Russian Federation, as well as other measures such as restrictions on the sale or provision of services and software, deposits and cryptocurrency wallets, and transport.
The Council of the EU has introduced new restrictions on the occupied territories of Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions, with the aim of preventing their integration into the Russian Federation and preventing the circumvention of EU sanctions.
The 17th package of targeted and economic restrictive measures was adopted on 20 May 2024 by Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/936 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/933.
The Council of the EU has decided to impose restrictive measures on 17 individuals and 58 legal entities responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Restrictive measures are currently in place against more than 2,400 individuals and legal entities. These include an asset freeze, a ban on entry into the EU and a prohibition on providing funds or economic resources to those subject to sanctions.
The Council has added 189 new vessels from third countries, doubling the number of vessels included on the list subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of services, bringing the total number of designated vessels to 342.
The Council of the EU has imposed sanctions on 45 Russian companies and individuals supplying the Russian military with drones, weapons, ammunition, military equipment, critical components and logistical support.
The Council has also added 31 new organisations to the list of those subject to stricter export controls on dual-use goods and technologies, due to their support for Russia’s military-industrial complex in its aggressive war against Ukraine. Some of these organisations are based in third countries (Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Vietnam and Uzbekistan) and have been involved in circumventing export restrictions, in particular regarding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or computer-numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools.
The Council of the EU has also adopted a decision amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 on restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia. In particular, 28 individuals have been added to the sanctions list, including judges, prosecutors, investigators from the Investigative Committee, representatives of the Russian Federation’s prison service, as well as individuals involved in the cases of O. Navalny and V. Kara-Murza.
As part of the EU’s sanctions regime in response to the Russian Federation’s destabilising activities, EU Council Decision 2025/966 and EU Council Implementing Regulation 2025/965 have been adopted (expanding the list of sanctioned individuals), as well as Council Decision 2025/963 and Council Regulation 2025/964 (strengthening sectoral restrictive measures). In accordance with these decisions, EU individual sanctions have been imposed on a further 21 natural persons and 6 legal entities responsible for Russia’s destabilising actions abroad.
As part of the EU sanctions regime concerning the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, Council Decision 2025/960 and Council Implementing Regulation 2025/959 have been adopted, pursuant to which three entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons have been added to the relevant control lists, namely: the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Forces, the 27th Scientific Centre and the 33rd Central Research and Testing Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, which form part of the Russian Armed Forces.
On 18 July 2025, the Council of the EU, by Decisions 2025/1478/CFSP and 2025/1495/CFSP, as well as Implementing Regulations (EU) 2025/1476 and (EU) 2025/1494, adopted the 18th package of targeted and economic restrictive measures in response to the actions of the Russian Federation that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and which are directed at Russia’s energy, banking and military sectors. Furthermore, by Decision 2025/1461/CFSP and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1469, the Council supplemented the package by introducing additional measures concerning Belarus.
The Council of the EU has imposed restrictive measures on 14 natural persons and 41 legal entities responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
The EU is lowering the reference price for crude oil from US$60 to US$47.6 per barrel to bring it into line with current global oil prices, and is also introducing an automatic and dynamic mechanism to adjust the reference price for oil and ensure its effectiveness.
The Council has added 105 new vessels from third countries to the list of those subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of services, bringing the total number of designated vessels to 447.
The EU is also imposing a complete ban on transactions relating to ‘Nord Stream 1’ and ‘Nord Stream 2’, in particular the supply of goods or services that would enable the completion, maintenance, operation or any future use of the ‘Nord Stream 1’ and ‘Nord Stream 2’ pipelines.
In the banking sector, the EU is strengthening the existing ban on the provision of specialised financial messaging services to certain Russian banks, extending it to a complete ban on transactions. This will apply to a further 22 Russian banks, in addition to the 23 banks already covered by the ban.
In addition, a ban is being introduced on any transactions with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and its sub-funds and companies.
Twenty-six new organisations will be subject to stricter export controls on dual-use goods and technologies, in particular those that could contribute to the technological advancement of Russia’s defence and security sectors. The package covers eight companies operating within the Belarusian military-industrial complex, which supports Russia’s military efforts, and an embargo on arms imports from Belarus has also been introduced.
On 23 October 2025, the Council of the EU, by Decisions 2025/2032/CFSP and 2025/2036/CFSP, as well as Implementing Regulations (EU) 2025/2033, (EU) 2025/2035 and (EU) 2025/2037, adopted the 19th package of targeted and economic restrictive measures in response to the Russian Federation’s actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and which are also directed at Russia’s energy, banking and military sectors. Furthermore, by Decisions 2025/2038/CFSP and 2025/2040/CFSP, as well as Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2039, the Council supplemented the package by introducing additional measures concerning Belarus.
The Council of the EU has imposed restrictive measures on 69 entities (22 natural persons and 47 legal entities) responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
The sanctions list includes two enterprises operating in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, namely the ‘DNR State Unitary Enterprise “Vugletelecom”’ and the ‘LNR State Unitary Enterprise “Republican Digital Communications Lugatelecom”’.
Sanctions have been imposed on the leading Russian gold mining company, PJSC ‘Polyus’, which operates in the Russian gold mining sector and generates significant revenue for the Government of the Russian Federation.
In the energy sector, the package introduces a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the EU, with effect from January 2027 for long-term contracts and within six months for short-term contracts, and strengthens the existing ban on transactions involving two major Russian state-owned oil producers, Rosneft and Gazpromneft.
The Council has added 117 new vessels from third countries to the list of those subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of services, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 557.
With a view to curbing Russia’s military capabilities, the Council is imposing sanctions on 45 new organisations that directly support Russia’s military-industrial complex, in particular those involved in circumventing export restrictions on computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, microelectronics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced technology goods. Seventeen of these organisations are based in third countries (12 in China, including Hong Kong, 3 in India and 2 in Thailand).
On 20 November and 22 December 2025, the Council of the EU adopted Decisions (CFSP) 2025/2357 and (CFSP) 2025/2637, pursuant to which restrictive measures are imposed on 12 individuals responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses and repression against civil society and the democratic opposition in Russia under the EU regime in view of the situation in Russia (CFSP) 2024/1484 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02024D1484-20250715).
On 15 December 2025, the Council of the EU adopted Decision 2025/2594/CFSP (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202502594), under which it imposed sanctions on five individuals and four organisations responsible for supporting Russia’s shadow fleet and its value chain.
By Decision 2025/2572/CFSP (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202502572) and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2568 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202502568), EU restrictive measures have been imposed against 12 natural persons and 2 legal entities in view of Russia’s continued hybrid activities, including manipulation, foreign information interference and malicious cyber activities against the EU, its Member States and partners.
On 18 December 2025, the Council of the EU adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2618 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202502618), which amends Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, pursuant to which restrictive measures have been imposed on a further 41 vessels that form part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers and contribute to Russia’s energy revenues. The total number now stands at almost 600 vessels.
On 22 December 2025, the Council of the EU extended the EU’s restrictive measures in response to the Russian Federation’s continued actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further six months, until 31 July 2026.
On 29 January 2026, the Council of the EU adopted a decision to extend individual and sectoral restrictive measures under a number of EU sanctions regimes.
Under the regime responding to the Russian Federation’s destabilising activities abroad, individual sanctions have been imposed on six Russian propagandists. Specifically, the sanctions list now includes journalist Pavel Zarubin, Channel One presenters Katerina Andreeva and Maria Sittel, ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, rapper Roman Chumakov (known as Zhigan), and sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev.
In view of Iran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, four Iranian nationals and six organisations have been added to the list of individuals and organisations subject to restrictive measures.
Under the human rights sanctions regime, 15 individuals and 6 legal entities from Iran’s security and law enforcement apparatus, responsible for the suppression of recent protests in the country and for measures to cut off telephone and internet communications, have been added to the sanctions list. The EU has also expanded sectoral sanctions against Iran by amending the list of high-priority goods (CHP items) to include electronic components used by Iran and the Russian Federation in the production of UAVs and missiles.
On 16 March 2026, the Council of the EU adopted a series of decisions to extend individual restrictive measures against the Russian Federation and its satellites, namely:
- in the context of the tragic fourth anniversary of the events in Bucha, which took place between February and March 2022, sanctions were imposed on nine individuals implicated in the crimes committed and responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine;
- as part of the regime in response to Russia’s destabilising actions abroad, restrictive measures have been imposed against four individuals responsible for the continuation of Russia’s hybrid activities, in particular for manipulation and interference through foreign information (FIMI) against the EU, its Member States and partners (S. Klyuchenkov, E. Mačkavičius, G. Phillips and A. Boke);
- against three organisations (PRC and IRI) and two individuals (PRC) responsible for cyber-attacks carried out against EU Member States and EU partners;
- against 16 individuals and 3 organisations responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran and who played a key role in the suppression of street protests in January 2026, which resulted in thousands of civilian casualties.
On 23 April 2026, the Council of the EU adopted the 20th package of individual and economic restrictive measures by means of Decisions (CFSP) 2026/508 and (CFSP) 2026/504, as well as Regulations (EU) 2026/506, (EU) 2026/509 and (EU) 2026/511) in response to the Russian Federation’s actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. In addition, the Council has supplemented the package with further restrictive measures against Belarus for its support of Russian military aggression against Ukraine (Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/503 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/505).
The 20th package includes 120 new individuals and organisations subject to EU sanctions – the largest number in the last two years – and introduces stringent, multi-tiered economic sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy. A further 46 vessels from the ‘shadow fleet’ have been added to the sanctions lists; these will be subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of maritime transport-related services, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 632 (11 vessels have been removed from the sanctions list).
With regard to financial measures, a ban has been imposed on transactions with 20 Russian banks and on dealings with four financial institutions in third countries due to their involvement in circumventing EU sanctions or their links to the Russian Financial Messaging System (SPFP). In the field of trade, the EU has, for the first time, applied an instrument to counter the circumvention of sanctions, banning the export of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools and radio equipment to Kyrgyzstan due to the high risk of their re-export to Russia.
11 May 2026 The Council of the EU adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/1072 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1055 imposing restrictive measures against 16 individuals and 7 organisations responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The decision is specifically directed against individuals responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation, forced displacement and forced assimilation – including indoctrination and militarised education – of Ukrainian minors, as well as their unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied territories.
On 15 June 2026, the Council of the EU adopted a series of decisions imposing additional restrictive measures against the Russian Federation under the sanctions regimes concerning: (i) the aggression against Ukraine; (ii) destabilising actions abroad; and (iii) human rights violations. In total, a further 34 individuals and 47 legal entities have been added to the relevant sanctions lists.
On 15 June 2026, the restrictive measures imposed by the EU in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation were extended until 23 June 2027.
On 18 June 2026, the Council adopted a decision to change the review period for sectoral sanctions against the Russian Federation from six months to twelve months, a move that had previously been blocked by Hungary.
On 17 July 2026, the Council of the EU adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/1780 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1779, which impose restrictive measures on one individual and five organisations in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, including its recent deadly strikes on Kyiv on the night of 1 to 2 July 2026, as well as its brutal military campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure. The entities subject to sanctions form part of the Russian military-industrial complex, in particular through their involvement in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles.
On 23 July 2026, the Council of the EU, acting by written procedure in accordance with Decisions (CFSP) 2026/1816, (CFSP) 2026/1845, (CFSP) 2026/1847, (CFSP) 2026/1849 and Implementing Regulations (EU) 2026/1817, (EU) 2026/1844, (EU) 2026/1846 and (EU) 2026/1848, the Council has adopted the 21st package of targeted and economic restrictive measures in response to the Russian Federation’s actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
The 21st package includes 218 new individuals and organisations, comprising 48 natural persons and 170 legal entities, and introduces stringent, multi-tiered economic sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy that have the greatest impact on Russia’s economy and its ability to fuel its aggression against Ukraine.
A further 41 vessels from the shadow fleet have been added to the sanctions lists; these will be subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of maritime transport-related services, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 692.
The package has laid the groundwork for a comprehensive ban on the issuance of visas to the EU for combatants and former combatants of the Russian armed forces and proxy groups involved in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.