On 19 July 2025, the European Union published its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, continuing its response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This package includes some of the most systemic and forward-looking measures yet—targeting Russian oil, banking, shadow fleets, and foreign collaborators, while also escalating pressure on Belarus.
The EU has unilaterally reduced the oil price cap to $47.6 per barrel—15% below the global benchmark. Unlike previous caps set by G7 consensus, this package also introduces a flexible mechanism, allowing the EU to update the cap independently. Notably, the UK followed this reduction, while the US, Canada, and Japan have not matched the move.
The EU has sanctioned an additional 105 vessels suspected of circumventing sanctions, bringing the total to 444 tankers banned from EU ports and waters.
Refined petroleum products derived from Russian crude are now prohibited, even if processed in third countries—except for key allies (Canada, Norway, UK, US, Switzerland).
The EU fully banned 22 additional Russian banks, which are now not only disconnected from SWIFT, but also face a total ban on any EU-based transactions involving them.
Sanctioned banks include:
1. Bank Rossiya
2. Promsvyazbank
3. Novikombank
4. Sovcombank
5. VTB Group (all units)
6. VEB.RF
7. Gazprombank
8. Rosselkhozbank
9. Russian National Commercial Bank
10. Bank Otkritie
11. Abros
12. ABR Management
13. Investcapitalbank
14. RosEnergoBank
15. Zest Bank
16. Entities associated with the Rotenbergs
17–22. Other mid-tier Russian state or private banks (details in official regulation)
Additionally:
• Third-country banks using Russia’s alternative SPFS messaging system risk secondary sanctions.
• The EU warns of future exclusions and penalties if foreign institutions facilitate Russia’s war financing.
• Secondary sanctions introduced: For the first time, foreign companies involved in Russia’s energy sector can face EU measures.
• Exemptions revoked: The Czech Republic’s temporary waiver on pipeline oil imports from Russia has ended.
• Transit exception: The EU still allows coal from Kazakhstan to pass through Russian ports, under a narrowly defined exemption.
The EU added eight Belarusian military-industrial enterprises to its sanctions list. These companies produce UAVs, optics, fire control, and coordinate systems, directly supporting Russia’s war logistics.
The full legal texts were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 19 July 2025:
This package reflects a shift from static deterrence to adaptive sanctions. Flexible oil cap revisions, secondary measures, and dynamic enforcement mechanisms send a strong message: circumvention won’t be tolerated. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas called it the “most comprehensive package to date.”
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