Europe EU works on 20th package of Russia sanctions
The European Union has begun work on a new sanctions package in light of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
14.11.2025, 15:59
14.11.2025, 16:00
SDA
This was announced by EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas after a meeting with the defense ministers of several countries in Berlin. Kallas said: "Wars are lost by whoever runs out of money or soldiers first." That is why pressure must continue to be exerted on Russia with sanctions.
In this context, the former Estonian head of government also praised the latest punitive measures imposed by the US government under President Donald Trump against Russian oil companies. "Sanctions work better when they are complemented by the support of international partners," she said. The new US sanctions are already depriving Russia of resources for the war against Ukraine.
19th sanctions package has been in force since October
The next EU sanctions package would already be the 20th due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The 19th came into force in October and, like the US sanctions, is aimed in particular at further reducing Russia's income from the sale of gas and oil. To this end, a complete ban on the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia will apply as early as 2027, one year earlier than originally planned.
In addition, further punitive measures apply in the financial sector and in trade, as well as restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within the EU.
Kallas did not initially provide any information on possible new measures in the 20th sanctions package in Berlin. According to Brussels diplomats, further Russian energy companies and ships of the so-called Russian shadow fleet could be targeted.
Moscow has been using the so-called shadow fleet for years in an attempt to circumvent a price cap on Russian oil introduced by Western supporters of Ukraine. This usually involves using outdated ships and various methods to disguise the origin of oil cargoes. Sometimes the transponder of the satellite-based automatic ship identification system (AIS) is switched off or manipulated, sometimes oil is transferred between tankers on the high seas.
