The European Commission is expected to present a new, intensified sanctions package targeting Russia later this week. The proposed measures aim to accelerate the phasing out of Russian oil and gas across Europe while simultaneously increasing pressure on India and China, which continue to import significant volumes, effectively supporting Russia’s wartime economy.
According to high-ranking EU officials and diplomats quoted in the Handelsblatt newspaper, the package includes potential sanctions against banks and refineries in India and China implicated in the trade of Russian oil. The aim is to disrupt supply chains and limit Russia’s ability to generate revenue.
Furthermore, the Commission intends to add additional oil tankers utilized by Russia to circumvent existing sanctions – often referred to as a “shadow fleet” – to the sanctions list. The proposed measures also address the process of issuing visas to Russian nationals, signaling a tightening of entry requirements.
The new package also contemplates bringing forward the timeline for the complete ban on Russian oil and gas imports, currently slated for mid-2027.
The 19th EU sanctions package had previously faced an unexpected delay. Following a telephone conversation between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump earlier this week, a renewed commitment to stricter sanctions was communicated. The specific impact and details of the package are subject to ongoing discussions and require formal approval from EU member states.
