Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: 20th round of stern EU sanctions hits energy revenues, military-industrial complex, trade and financial services, including crypto - Consilium

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: 20th round of stern EU sanctions hits energy revenues, military-industrial complex, trade and financial services, including crypto - Consilium We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are required to support essential features of the Council's website. Optional cookies help us produce anonymous and aggregated statistical reports to better serve your needs. Visit our cookies policy page for more information and to change your settings. See more Skip to content Search Search keywords About the institutions Topics Meetings News and media Documents and research Council of the EU Press release 23 April 2026 15:45 Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: 20th round of stern EU sanctions hits energy revenues, military-industrial complex, trade and financial services, including crypto This press release was updated to include the relevant links to the Official Journal of the EU The Council today adopted a far-reaching 20th package of restrictive measures comprising 120 further individual listings – the biggest package of listings in two years – and stern, multi-layered economic sanctions, targeting key sectors which fuel Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Today’s package aims to further cripple Russia’s economy and war machine, and confirms the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its people in resisting the Russian aggression and enduring the recent brutal campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy. The EU remains determined to maintain and increase pressure on Russia to stop its brutal war of aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. Today we have finally broken the deadlock. On top of the €90-billion loan for Ukraine, we have also adopted the 20th sanctions package. The EU will provide Ukraine with what it needs to hold its ground while we inhibit those enabling Russia’s illegal aggression. Russia’s war economy is under growing strain, while Ukraine is getting a major boost. We must keep up this pressure until Putin understands his war leads nowhere. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and chair of the Foreign Affairs Council Curbing Russia’s energy revenues Today’s package includes the basis for a future maritime services ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products . It will be in full coordination and discussion with the G7 and the Price Cap Coalition - G7 members and other participating countries. The 20th package introduces a comprehensive set of 36 designations encompassing both the upstream and downstream segments of the Russian energy sector , including the exploration, extraction, refining, and transportation of oil. This package strategically targets emerging players which have recently increased their export market share. Revenues from Russian oil exports are further curbed through listings focusing on the shadow fleet ecosystem , including entities operating in third countries, as well as a significant maritime insurer. An additional 46 vessels are now subject to a port access ban and a ban on the provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport, bringing the total number of designated vessels to 632. These measures target non-EU tankers that are part of the shadow fleet circumventing the oil price cap mechanism, and which support Russia’s energy sector or transport military equipment for Russia or stolen Ukrainian grain. The 20th package also introduces mandatory due diligence checks for the sale of tankers , thereby making it more difficult for Russia to expand its shadow fleet, and bans the provision of maintenance and other services for Russian liquified natural gas ( LNG ) tankers and ice-breakers . Furthermore, as of January 2027, it will be illegal to provide LNG terminal services to Russian entities or entities owned or controlled by Russian nationals or operators. Lastly, the package bans transactions with two Russian ports – Murmansk and Tuapse – and with the oil terminal at the port of Karimun in Indonesia, which are used to circumvent the oil price cap. Financial services and crypto The EU is imposing a transaction ban on 20 Russian banks . In addition, the EU is targeting four financial institutions in third countries with a transaction ban for circumventing EU sanctions or connecting to the Russian System for Transfer of Financial Messages, the Russian banking messaging network. Due to sweeping sanctions on its financial sector, Russia is becoming increasing reliant on cryptocurrencies for international transactions. Noting this trend, the EU is designating a Kyrgyz entity which operates a platform where significant amounts of the government-backed stablecoin A7A5 are traded. Moreover, the EU is introducing a total sectoral ban on providers and platforms established in Russia that allow the transfer and exchange of crypto assets. The EU is also banning transactions in another crypto currency ( RUBx ) and all EU support for the development of the digital rouble . Lastly, netting transactions with Russian agents are now forbidden, to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions. Russia’s military-industrial complex The 20th package further constrains the Russian military-industrial complex by designating 58 companies and associated individuals involved in the development and manufacturing of military goods, such as drones. In addition to denying Russian military enterprises valuable EU technology, this package also addresses Russia’s reliance on third countries for the provision of critical high-tech items. Specifically, the EU has now designated 16 entities based in China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Belarus which have provided dual-use goods or weapons systems to the Russian military-industrial complex. Furthermore, 60 new entities will be subject to tighter export restrictions on items which contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence sector . Some of these entities are also located in third countries other than Russia, such as in China (including Hong Kong), Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates . Trade For the first time ever, the EU is activating its anti-circumvention tool, by prohibiting the export of any computer numerical control machines or radios to Kyrgyzstan where there is a high risk that these products will be re-exported to Russia. This decision follows a thorough analysis of trade data showing a significant surge in re-export of common high-priority items through Kyrgyzstan to Russia. The EU has also agreed to expand the existing export ban to include laboratory glassware, certain high-performance lubricants and lubricant additives, certain energetic materials, certain chemicals, rubber and articles made of vulcanised rubber, articles made of steel, tools for metal production and industrial tractors, worth over €360 million. In addition, the EU has introduced further restrictions on the import of goods which generate significant revenues for Russia: certain raw materials, certain metals and minerals, scraps of steel and other metals, certain chemicals, articles made of vulcanised rubber and tanned fur skins, worth over €570 million. All these measures will be complemented by an enhanced prohibition on transit via Russian territory. Lastly, the EU is introducing a quota for imports of ammonia . Accountability Unfortunately, Russian individuals involved in reprehensible acts continue to operate with impunity , and are often supported by the government itself. Since the start of the war, Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transferred nearly 20 000 Ukrainian children , while also pursuing policies to forcibly assimilate and indoctrinate Ukrainian children in order to diminish their Ukrainian identity. Russian government-linked individuals are involved in the seizure of Ukrainian cultural property, and state media broadcasts anti-Ukrainian narratives. To enforce accountability, the EU is listing five individuals and one entity for enabling the abduction, forced transfer and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, as well as four persons involved in the appropriation of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Moreover, the 20th package designates four propagandists, including ones with state-sponsored platforms. Other measures The EU is introducing stronger legal safeguards to protect EU companies from violations of their intellectual property rights and unfair expropriation in Russia due to abusive court rulings in relation to sanctions. It is also introducing a ban on the provision of cybersecurity services to Russia. The Council has decided to expand the existing broadcasting prohibition to include sites which disseminate the same content as the prohibited entities, thus circumventing EU measures. In line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the measures agreed today will not prevent the targeted media outlets and their staff from carrying out activities other than broadcasting in the EU, e.g. research and interviews. The traceability requirements for diamonds have been tightened, obliging importers of polished diamonds to provide a due-diligence statement confirming that the diamonds were not mined, processed or produced in Russia. Belarus Today’s package continues to address Belarus’ role in enabling Russia’s war of aggression. The 20th package includes three new listings related to the Belarusian military-industrial complex and the Lukashenka regime. For the first time, a Chinese state-owned entity is being targeted under the Belarus sanctions regime, due to its role in the production of Belarusian military goods. Additionally, the package includes measures intended to mirror those imposed on Russia, notably trade measures , legal protection , measures on crypto and restrictions on the provision of cybersecurity services and tourism services . The Belarus sanctions regime has been extended by the Council until 28 February 2027 . The relevant legal acts will shortly be published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The European Council stated that efforts to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war must continue. It also expressed the EU’s readiness to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions. As stated in the text supported by 26 heads of state or government at the European Council on 18 December 2025, the European Council reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The European Union will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. The EU supports a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The EU welcomes the ongoing diplomatic efforts to put an end to the war and urges Russia to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire. For peace to be just and lasting, borders must not be changed by force, and any future agreement must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security and ability to defend itself. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/508 of 23 April 2026 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (economic sanctions) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506 of 23 April 2026 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (economic sanctions) Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/504 of 23 April 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (listings) Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/509 of 23 April 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (listings) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/511 of 23 April 2026 amending Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/503 of 23 April 2026 implementing Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine (listings) Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/505 of 23 April 2026 implementing Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine (listings) Text on Ukraine supported by 26 Head of State and Government on the occasion of the European Council on 18 December 2025 European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024 Russia's war against Ukraine (background information) Russia's war against Ukraine: EU sanctions (background information) Press contacts Maria Daniela Lenzu Press officer +32 470 88 04 02 +32 2 281 21 46 @daniela_lenzu If you are not a journalist, please send your request to the public information service . Topics Foreign affairs Eastern Europe Trade Sanctions Russia's war against Ukraine Download as pdf Subscribe to press releases Last review: 24 April 2026