The European Union (EU) on Thursday approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, marking a significant escalation in efforts to stifle Russian military aggression in Ukraine. The new measures target key sectors and individuals aiding Moscow's war efforts, intensifying pressure on the Russian economy.

Designed to cripple crucial sectors like energy, finance, and the military industrial base, the sanctions also aim to penalize third parties complicit in or profiting from the conflict. From January 1, 2027, the EU will enforce an import ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a complete transaction ban on oil and gas imports from major Russian companies Rosneft and Gazprom Neft. Given that Rosneft is a major player on the global stage, responsible for 6 percent of the world's oil production and nearly half of Russia's output, this move could significantly impact Russia's economic stability.

Earlier measures such as the March 2025 transshipment ban on LNG initially dented the Russian energy sector, but the EU has found it necessary to introduce tougher sanctions following Moscow's quick recovery and adaptation strategies. In mid-October, the EU targeted Rosnef and Lukoil, which together produce approximately 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Additional sanctions targeted Litasco Middle East DMCC and involved ship registries that facilitated deceptive vessel registrations, aiming to cut off significant revenue streams for the Kremlin.

Another critical aspect of the latest sanctions is the prohibition of the cryptocurrency stablecoin "A7A5," which has been instrumental for Russia in bypassing financial sanctions and sustaining international trade. Despite the challenges in enforcing measures against the decentralized and borderless nature of cryptocurrencies, EU leaders are hopeful that targeting this asset will strike at a vulnerable point in Russia’s financial armor.

Addressing the sophisticated methods used by Russian entities to conceal their financial activities, the EU has also sanctioned individuals and entities in the United Arab Emirates and China, as well as businesses in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which are now prohibited from engaging with EU-based entities.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has been marked by severe human rights violations and a continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The EU's persistent sanctioning efforts reflect a steadfast commitment to curbing Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine in this prolonged conflict.