European Union member states on Thursday formally approved their 19th sanctions package against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The package cleared after Slovakia dropped its opposition marks one of the most comprehensive rounds of EU measures yet, targeting key Russian revenue streams in energy, finance, and trade. A central feature is a phased ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, which will end all such imports by January 2027 a year ahead of the bloc’s original plan to eliminate dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Why It Matters
This move underscores the EU’s determination to tighten economic pressure on Moscow as the war drags on, even at potential cost to Europe’s own energy security. By banning LNG imports, the EU aims to cut a major source of Russian income still flowing despite earlier oil and coal bans. The new measures also reinforce the bloc’s message of unity and resilience at a time when U.S. policy toward Ukraine is under review and global focus has shifted elsewhere. The package highlights Europe’s growing willingness to extend sanctions into sectors like diplomacy, finance, and crypto, which were previously treated with more caution.
The Danish presidency of the EU hailed the package as a “significant step” to choke off Russia’s war financing. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the new restrictions on Russian diplomats would help counter Moscow’s “attempts at destabilisation.” The sanctions also target Russian banks, crypto exchanges, and entities in India and China linked to sanctions evasion. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the LNG ban “an important step toward a full phase-out of Russian energy,” while energy analysts note the challenge for EU countries particularly Spain, France, and Belgium, which still import limited Russian LNG to diversify supplies before the 2027 cutoff.
What’s Next
The sanctions package will take effect in two stages: short-term LNG contracts will expire in six months, while long-term deals will end on January 1, 2027. EU leaders are expected to discuss enforcement mechanisms and possible retaliation from Moscow, which has already denounced the measures as “economic aggression.” The move strengthens Europe’s hand ahead of the next Brussels summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, where additional financial and military aid will be on the agenda.
With information from Reuters.
