EU adopts 19th sanctions package against Russia
Date of publication: October 28, 2025
On October 24, 2025, the European Commission announced the adoption of the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, marking a significant escalation in measures to undermine Russia’s war economy and support Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.
This package targets critical sectors, including energy, finance, military-industrial complexes, and special economic zones. With this package, the
number of listed vessels in Russia's shadow fleet reaches a total of 557
.Key elements of the 19th package
Trade measures
- Export restrictions: New bans target dual-use items, advanced technologies, and materials critical to Russia’s military-industrial complex, including metals for weapon systems, propellant preparation products, salts, ores, construction materials, and rubber articles (valued at €155 million in 2024 EU exports).
- Individual and entity sanctions: 45 entities were added for supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex or engaging in circumvention, with 28 based in Russia and 17 in third countries (12 in China, including Hong Kong, 3 in India, 2 in Thailand). Additionally, 69 listings include oligarchs, Russian energy and gold production companies, a Chinese petrochemical company and refinery, and others involved in Russia’s war efforts.
Anti-circumvention and additional measures
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs): New contracts with entities in Russian SEZs are prohibited, with Alabuga and Technopolis Moscow facing bans on existing contracts due to their role in the war effort.
- Service bans: The EU blocks Russian access to advanced digital capabilities, including space-based and AI services. Non-prohibited services to the Russian government now require prior authorization.
- Re-insurance prohibition: Re-insurance services for Russian government vessels and aircraft are banned for up to five years post-sale to third countries.
- Russian diplomats: New rules require Russian diplomats to notify EU Member States of travel beyond their accredited country, with possible authorization requirements to counter hostile intelligence activities.
- Ukrainian children: The package lists 11 individuals involved in the abduction, forced assimilation, and militarized education of Ukrainian minors, introducing a new listing criterion to streamline future sanctions.
- Belarus: The package aligns trade, financial, and service-related measures with the Belarus sanctions regime, adding five listings tied to the Belarusian military-industrial complex and the Lukashenka regime.
Energy measures
- Total ban on Russian LNG: A complete import ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) will take effect, with long-term contracts prohibited from January 1, 2027, and short-term contracts within six months of the sanctions’ entry into force.
- Transaction ban on Rosneft and Gazprom Neft: The exemption for oil and gas imports from these major Russian energy companies has been eliminated, though oil imports from third countries like Kazakhstan and Oil Price Cap-compliant transport to third countries are exempt.
- Sanctions on third-country operators: Chinese entities, including two refineries and one oil trader, face sanctions for purchasing significant volumes of Russian crude oil. Additionally, a ban on a variant of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) addresses circumvention of existing restrictions.
- Shadow fleet crackdown: An additional 117 vessels were added to the sanctions list. These vessels face EU port access bans and service prohibitions. Sanctions also target the shadow fleet’s value chain, including Litasco Middle East DMCC (UAE-based Lukoil enabler), two oil trading companies in Hong Kong and the UAE, and maritime registries providing false flags.
- Port infrastructure ban expansion: The EU can now list third-country ports instrumental to Russia’s war effort.
- Energy-related service bans: New prohibitions target services like geological prospecting and mapping.
Financial measures
- Banking restrictions: Five Russian banks are now subject to a transaction ban, prohibiting EU operators from engaging with them directly or indirectly.
- Payment systems: Bans were imposed on Russia’s Mir payment card and SBP fast payment system, along with four financial institutions in Belarus and Kazakhstan using Russia’s SPFS.
- Cryptocurrency sanctions: For the first time, the EU targets a rouble-backed stablecoin (A7A5), its Kyrgyz issuer, and a related trading platform. A Paraguayan cryptocurrency exchange facilitating circumvention is also sanctioned. EU operators are barred from providing crypto and certain fintech services that could help Russia develop its financial infrastructure.
- Third country banks: Transaction bans were imposed on five Central Asian banks supporting Russia’s war economy.
Conclusion
The 19th EU sanctions package represents a robust escalation in the EU’s strategy to weaken Russia’s ability to sustain its aggression against Ukraine.
By targeting energy revenues, financial systems, and the shadow fleet, the EU aims to disrupt Russia’s war economy while closing circumvention loopholes. The focus on cryptocurrencies, third-country enablers, and SEZs underscores the EU’s commitment to comprehensive sanctions enforcement.
As the EU prepares for a potential 20th package, companies must remain proactive in ensuring compliance with these evolving regulations to mitigate legal and financial risks.
These changes have been updated in ONESOURCE Global Trade Content.
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