EU approves 19th Russia sanctions package with phased LNG ban
The European Union finalized its 19th sanctions package against Russia for its war in Ukraine, including a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Thursday.
The new measures target Russian banks, cryptocurrency exchanges and entities in India and China.
The package includes:
- a ban on LNG supplies to the EU after six months for short-term contracts and from January 1, 2027, for long-term contracts;
- a full ban on all crypto services for Russian citizens;
- restrictions on travel for Russian diplomats;
- sanctions on 117 more vessels from Russia's shadow fleet;
- sanctions on banks in Kazakhstan and Belarus, and four Chinese companies linked to the oil industry.
Earlier, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration is introducing new sanctions against Russia, targeting Rosneft and Lukoil.
Bessent called them "some of the largest sanctions" the United States has ever imposed on the Russian federation.