EU unveils new sanctions on Russia to limit war funding

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

The European Union has unveiled a new package of sanctions against Russia, intensifying efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine and signaling that European leaders remain committed to maintaining economic pressure more than four years after the conflict escalated into a full-scale invasion.

Announcing what would become the European Union’s nineteenth sanctions package from 2022, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the latest measures are intended to further weaken Russia’s wartime revenues and restrict access to resources that could support its military operations.

At the heart of the proposal is a plan to lower the international price cap on Russian crude oil from 60 dollars to 45 dollars per barrel. European officials believe the move would reduce one of the Kremlin’s most important sources of income while helping to maintain stability in global energy markets. Discussions with G7 partners are expected ahead of upcoming international meetings, as Brussels seeks broader support for the measure.

The European Union is also expanding its campaign against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a network of tankers accused of helping Moscow bypass existing restrictions. Another 77 vessels are set to be added to the sanctions list, pushing the total number of targeted ships to more than 400. European officials argue that disrupting these shipping networks is essential to limiting Russia’s access to foreign currency.

Additional measures would tighten restrictions on Russian banks and strengthen safeguards designed to prevent sanctions evasion. The package also includes fresh export controls aimed at limiting Russia’s access to industrial machinery and dual-use technologies that could be employed by the country’s defense sector.

In a notable development, the European Commission has proposed sanctions linked to the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The move is intended to discourage future investments and ensure that the pipelines do not once again become instruments of geopolitical leverage.

Von der Leyen said Russia had shown no genuine willingness to pursue peace and stressed that pressure on Moscow must continue until meaningful progress toward a ceasefire is achieved. Ukrainian officials welcomed the proposal, while Russia has consistently argued that Western sanctions have failed to cripple its economy and have instead harmed European interests.

The package must still receive unanimous approval from all 27 European Union member states, a process that could involve difficult negotiations given concerns among some countries about the potential impact on energy prices and trade.

Even so, the latest proposals underscore Europe’s determination to continue using economic tools in an effort to limit Russia’s ability to sustain the war and to maintain support for Ukraine as the conflict enters another uncertain phase.

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