The European Commission has introduced its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, intensifying economic pressure and aiming to further isolate Moscow's war economy. The new measures, presented on September 19, 2025, include an accelerated ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. This date marks an advancement of one year from previous plans, reflecting a more determined EU effort to reduce reliance on Russian energy supplies.
The sanctions package also targets Russia's financial sector and entities involved in sanctions circumvention. Several Russian banks and cryptocurrency platforms are now subject to new transaction bans, marking the first time virtual asset platforms have been directly targeted. Additionally, the EU has expanded its focus on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, adding 118 vessels to the sanctions list, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to over 560. These measures are designed to close loopholes and ensure the effectiveness of the EU's broader sanctions regime.
In response to the announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would work to minimize the impact of these new measures, asserting that the nation has developed resilience to sanctions. Peskov characterized the EU's continued sanctions policy as a hostile stance that hinders peace and suggested it could be a "double-edged sword" impacting the sanctioning countries as well. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen framed the sanctions as a necessary response to Russia's escalating actions and its perceived disregard for diplomacy and international law, citing recent drone and missile attacks that have impacted EU airspace.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has consistently highlighted the need to maintain pressure on Russia while also emphasizing the importance of continued financial and military support for Ukraine. The EU's sustained imposition of sanctions, now reaching its 19th package, underscores a long-term strategy to curtail Russia's revenue streams that fund its military operations. The EU's efforts to sanction entities facilitating circumvention and restrict access to critical technologies reflect a dynamic strategy to adapt to evolving evasion tactics and maintain economic pressure.