THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Export bans on metals, alloys, and drone components will also be introduced as part of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia. This significant increase in economic pressure aims to further strain the Russian economy amidst ongoing conflict. 4/4

Noerr | 18th EU sanctions package tightens restrictions on banks and ... A. Background On 18 July 2025, following intensive negotiations, the Council of the European Union adopted the 18th sanctions package against Russia and Belarus. The package aims to further restrict the Russian state’s capacity for action and to increase the pressure on its regime. Once again, the focus lies on the banking, energy and defence sectors. In addition, the EU adopted new restrictive measures against Belarus. B. Content of the 18th sanctions package The new EU sanctions package* extends the existing restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus. I. Comprehensive measures in the financial sector The most significant new measure is a comprehensive ban on transactions with certain financial institutions: The ban in Article 5h of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 – known as the SWIFT exclusion and previously limited to specialised financial messaging services – has now been converted into a comprehensive transaction ban. The ban covers both direct and indirect transactions with entities listed in Annex XIV and their Russian subsidiaries. Limited exceptions and licensing options are available. These include…

This means: 🔹 Strengthening sanctions against Russia's financial, energy, and military-industrial sectors; 🔹 Closing loopholes that allow sanctions evasion through third countries; 🔹 Expanding Russia's political isolation in international institutions;

In addition, the new package may include sanctions against more banks, oil traders, refineries, and cryptocurrency operators in third countries that Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent existing restrictions.

EU, US and UK Ratchet Up Russia Sanctions Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email In significant parallel actions this week, the EU and US imposed new sanctions on Russia. While the EU’s 19th sanctions package is much broader in scope, the measures overlap in their focus on the Russian energy sector, with the US imposing full blocking sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil majors, OJSC Rosneft Oil Company (“Rosneft”) and Lukoil OAO (“Lukoil”) and the EU imposing a full ban on Russia-origin liquified natural gas (“LNG”), among other energy sector measures. The measures represent a notable escalation given, in the case of the EU, that the 19th sanctions package followed the 18th package in fairly quick succession, and in the case of the US, the absence of additional US sanctions targeting Russia since the new Trump Administration took office in January. The EU and US measures also follow recent UK designations of Rosneft, Lukoil and various other parties connected to Russia’s energy sector. We summarize these developments in more detail below. EU’s 19th Sanctions Package On 23 October 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia,…

The #EU also considering restrictions on ships that provide services to shadow-fleet tankers In addition, the new package may include sanctions against more banks, oil traders, refineries, & cryptocurrency operators in third countries that #Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent existing restrictions.

EU sanctions, now 20 packages in force, continue to restrict Russia's access to technology, finance, logistics & energy markets, imposing long-term structural costs. Higher oil prices give Russia short-term breathing space. They do not fix the structural damage. The pressure continues. (4/7)

The 21st sanctions package includes a temporary freeze of the Russian oil price cap and designations of institutions used by Moscow to generate revenues and circumvent EU sanctions. It will target banks, weapons manufacturers, oil traders, refineries, and crypto operators in third countries.

[3/4] more than 50% of Russia's international credit institutions. It is reported that banks will face comprehensive sanctions from the EU, including asset freezes, travel bans and transaction bans. In addition, sources said that the EU will propose to keep the Russian crude oil price

Russia's oil revenue and shadow fleet are the next EU target: the European Commission is set to present its 21st sanctions package on 8-9 June, with measures aimed at the Russian oil price cap, sanctioned tankers and banks. Member states are working to approve it by mid-July.

The EU is also considering restrictions on ships that provide services to shadow-fleet tankers. In addition, the new package may include sanctions against more banks, oil traders, refineries, & cryptocurrency operators in 3rd countries that Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent existing restrictions.

<< The discussions are part of preparations for the EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia. The proposed measures also include: ▫️ sanctions against additional banks, oil traders, refineries, and cryptocurrency operators in third countries that Moscow uses to circumvent restrictions;>>

EU Adopts 20th Russia Sanctions Package | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Executive Summary What’s new: The EU has adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia and Belarus, targeting their energy, financial and tech sectors. Why it matters: The package introduces broad new restrictions, including on LNG terminal services, Russian cryptoasset service providers and nonfinancial entities facilitating sanctions circumvention through netting and set-off payment arrangements. The EU also has imposed anti-circumvention measures on Kyrgyzstan, marking the first time the EU has deployed this tool against a third country. What to do next: Companies should consider reviewing the new restrictions; assessing their exposure to sanctioned sectors, goods and entities; and ensuring compliance with the expanded prohibitions. Key phased deadlines run from April 2026 through January 2027. __________ On 23 April 2026, the European Union adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, further amending Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 (Regulation 833), 1 Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (Regulation 269) 2 and corresponding amendments to the Belarusian sanctions fram…

‘This includes a temporary freeze of the Russian oil price cap and designations of institutions used by Moscow to generate revenues+circumvent EU sanctions. It will target banks, weapons manufacturers, oil traders, refineries,+crypto operators in third countries.’ 2

The European Union is moving quickly to approve its 21st package of sanctions against Russia. The measures are expected to target Russian oil companies and the country's shadow fleet, though there is a caveat, Politico reports. RBC Ukraine News newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/eu-race...

18th EU sanctions package tightens restrictions on banks and also ... On 18 July 2025, following intensive negotiations, the Council of the European Union adopted the 18th sanctions package against Russia and Belarus. The package aims to further restrict the Russian state’s capacity for action and to increase the pressure on its regime. Once again, the focus lies on the banking, energy and defence sectors. In addition, the EU adopted new restrictive measures against Belarus. The new EU sanctions package* extends the existing restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus. The most significant new measure is a comprehensive ban on transactions with certain financial institutions: The ban in Article 5h of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 – known as the SWIFT exclusion and previously limited to specialised financial messaging services – has now been converted into a comprehensive transaction ban. The ban covers both direct and indirect transactions with entities listed in Annex XIV and their Russian subsidiaries. Limited exceptions and licensing options are available. These include inter alia transactions that are strictly necessary for divestment from Russia or the winddown of busine…

EU Adopts 20th Sanctions Package Targeting Russia and Belarus Steven Farmer Mark Booth Iris Karaman Samson Verebes On April 23, 2026, the EU adopted its 20 th sanctions package targeting Russia and Belarus in connection with the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The latest package significantly expands the EU’s restrictive measures across the energy, finance and crypto, trade, services and maritime and transport sectors, with a core focus on anti-circumvention and energy measures. A summary of the key updates follows. THE RUSSIA REGIME Energy and Shipping One of the most closely watched elements of the 20 th package was whether the EU would implement a full maritime services ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products. The approved package, however, stops short of a full ban, instead introducing a new legal basis for a future prohibition on the transport of Russian oil and petroleum products, to be implemented in coordination with the G7 and the Price Cap Coalition. In other energy-related measures, the package includes 36 new designations across the Russian energy sector, covering upstream and downstream activities including exploration, extraction, refining and the transportation of …

NewsInsideUkraine t.me/NewsInsideUk... ❗️The EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia may include measures against Lukoil and Rosneft, Politico reports. The package could be approved as early as next week, but is unlikely to impose a full ban on maritime services tied to Russian oil.

In addition, the new package may include sanctions against more banks, oil traders, refineries, and cryptocurrency operators in third countries that Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent existing restrictions. 2/2

EU adopts 20th package of sanctions against Russia The new package strengthens export and import controls, targets circumvention through transport and shipping, and restricts services related to the trade of goods. The European Commission (EC) has announced the 20thsanctions package against Russia, introducing new trade and customs-related measures designed to disrupt Russia's military-industrial complex, restrict its access to key technologies, and counter the circumvention of existing controls. According to theEC release(April 22, 2026), this package expands direct trade controls through: A primary focus of the new measures is preventing sanctions evasion. For the first time, the EU has activated its “anti-circumvention tool,” targeting the re-export of certain EU-made machine tools and telecommunication equipment to Russia from the Kyrgyz Republic. Additionally, the package adds 60 entities to the list of those supporting Russia's military industrial complex or engaged in sanctions circumvention. This includes 32 entities established in Russia and 28 in third countries (China, including Hong Kong, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, and Thailand). The package also tightens cont…

Russia Sanctions Database - Atlantic Council After Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western partners imposed unprecedented financial sanctions and export controls against Russia. These measures aim to achievethree objectives:1. Significantly reduce Russia’s revenues from commodities exports;2. Cripple Russia’s military capability and ability to pursue its war;3. Impose significant pain on the Russian economy.The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the restrictive economic measures Western allies have placed on Russia and evaluates whether these measures are successful in achieving the stated objectives and bringing lasting peace to Ukraine. The Database is now static and was last updated in November 2024. You can access the final versionhere. In October, the United Statestargetedtwo of Russia’s largest oil majors, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with their subsidiaries, withprimary sanctionsthat carry secondary sanctions risks. While significant, this action represents the only sanctions the Trump administration has so far issued in 2025 against Russia in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine. Western partners, including the European Un…

<<tankers. In addition, the new package may include sanctions against more banks, oil traders, refineries, and cryptocurrency operators in third countries that Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent existing restrictions.

The EU is preparing a 21st sanctions package focusing on Russian oil revenue, banks, and maritime activities. Key targets include oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil, with discussions on a $44.1 per barrel price cap. A complete oil ban appears unlikely. 2/5

EU implements 20th sanctions package against Russia Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email At a glance On 6 February 2026, the European Commission presented its 20th Russia sanctions package, focusing on energy, financial services, and trade. Key elements include a future full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil (a decision on implementation will be taken until after coordination with the G7), expanded vessel listings linked to the “shadow fleet,” tighter financial restrictions (including additional Russian banks and crypto‑related measures), and new import/export bans on specified goods and services. The package was finally adopted on 23 April 2026 after Slovakia and Hungary withdrew their opposition following the repair of the Druzhba pipeline being completed by Ukraine, thereby clearing the way for the adoption of the decision. The EU’s “anti‑circumvention tool” i.e., the prohibition on the provision of specified items to specified third countries to prevent onward supplies to Russia, has been activated for the first‑time and targeted at Kyrgyzstan under which exports of machining centres for working metal and telecommunication equipment to the Central Asian cou…

The sanctions target more than 20 oil tankers, insurance companies and entities that help Russia trade oil in defiance of Western restrictions. London is also the first G7 country to impose sanctions on several vessels involved in Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project. 2/3

🇺🇦⚔️🇷🇺 The EU is preparing fresh sanctions targeting Russian banks, energy firms, and some crypto networks. Geopolitical tensions continue to fuel volatility, keeping traders cautious while long-term crypto adoption remains strong. 📉🚀 #Bitcoin #Crypto #UkraineWar #BTC #Ethereum #CryptoNews

The sanctions target more than 20 oil tankers, insurance companies and entities that help Russia trade oil in defiance of Western restrictions. London is also impose sanctions on several vessels involved in Arctic LNG 2 project. The restrictions also target Russian military intelligence network.

[3/4] more than 50% of Russia's international credit institutions. It is reported that banks will face comprehensive sanctions from the EU, including asset freezes, travel bans and transaction bans. In addition, sources said that the EU will propose to keep the Russian crude oil price

EU adopts new sanctions against Russia - European Commission The European Commission welcomes the adoption by EU Member States of the 19th package of sanctions against Russia. The new package of sanctions substantially increases the pressure on the Russian war economy, targeting key sectors such as energy, finance, the military industrial base, special economic zones, as well as enablers and profiteers of its war of aggression. A total ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and a further clamp-down on the shadow fleet represent the strongest sanctions yet on Russia's crucial energy sector. Strong measures also target financial services and infrastructure (including for the first time crypto), as well as trade. The measures also target the services sector and strengthen anti-circumvention tools. With this package, the number of listed vessels in Russia's shadow fleet reaches a total of 557 . The 19th package contains the following key elements: ENERGY MEASURES Ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as of 1 January 2027 for long-term contracts, and within six months as of the entry into force of the sanctions for short-term contracts. Full transaction ban on major…

U.S. and UK Sanctions Target Russia's Two Largest Oil Companies; EU ... On October 22, 2025, the U.S. governmentimposed property-blocking sanctionson Russia’s two largest oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (“Rosneft”) and Lukoil OAO (“Lukoil”), by designating these entities, as well as 34 Russia-based Rosneft and Lukoil subsidiaries, to the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (“SDN List”) maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). These are the first Russia-related sanctions imposed by the current Trump Administration (other than the “secondary tariff” announced with respect to India in August 2025, which we covered in aprior alert), and mark a significant escalation in the Administration’s approach towards Russia sanctions. In announcing the designations, the Treasury Department noted the sanctions were being imposed “as a result of Russia’s lack of serious commitment to end the war in Ukraine,” and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated that “Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary” to support an end to the war, though he did not specify what such “furthe…

'The bloc is also planning further restrictions on various industrial sectors, on the banking industry and cryptocurrency assets, and on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships accused of helping circumvent sanctions on things like oil sales.' www.dw.com/en/eu-propos...

EU Adopts 20th Package Against Russia & Parallel Sanctions on Belarus | Insights | Mayer Brown Initially proposed by the European Commission (“Commission”) onFebruary 6, 2026, the European Union finally adopted its20thpackage of sanctions targeting Russia, along with parallel amendments to sanctions against Belarus, on April 23, 2026. This package, designed to ramp up pressure on the energy, finance, and military-industrial sectors, target both Russia and those which help Russia evade sanctions. Illustrating the anti-circumvention focus of this package, the EU has, for the first time, extended certain trade restrictions to Kyrgyzstan. New asset freeze measures were imposed throughDecision 2026/504andRegulation 2026/509under the main asset freeze regime targeting Russia (Decision 2014/145 and Regulation 269/2014) and throughDecision 2026/503andRegulation 2026/505under the Belarus sanctions regime (Decision 2012/642 and Regulation 765/2006). In addition, Decision 2026/504 andRegulation 2026/511amended the asset freeze measures framework under the main asset freeze regime targeting Russia. These provisions entered into force on April 23, 2026. Amendments to sectoral sanctions targe…

EU sanctions more Russian banks to squeeze Putin's war economy BRUSSELS — EU governments have banned another 20 Russian lenders from handling payments in euros and doing business with companies across the bloc under the latest package of sanctions in response to President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine. António Costa, president of the European Council, on Thursday announced the sanctions package, the 20th of its kind since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, after Hungary and Slovakia withdrew their veto against the punitive measures. “Europe stands firm, united and unwavering in its support to Ukraine,” Costa said in a social media post . Advertisement The sanctions also include four banks from Kyrgyzstan, Laos and Azerbaijan, in a bid to crack down on sanction-busting strategies and efforts to pay for Russian oil and gas through the back door. EU businesses are also banned from dealing with Russian companies that handle or exchange cryptocurrencies. The list of sanctioned Russian banks now extends to 70 lenders. The sanctions make it much harder for foreign banks to handle international trade, especially as they will be prohibited from using SWIFT, a financial messag…

[8/10] refineries and cryptocurrency operators based in third countries that Moscow uses to circumvent EU restrictions. In addition, about 20 tankers in Russia's secretive fleet used to transport oil will also be subject to sanctions, and the scope of sanctions will eventually be

EU weighs sanctions on Georgia's Kulevi port over suspected Russian oil ... Georgia’s Black Sea port of Kulevi, a hub for Black Sea oil shipments, may soon face European Union sanctions over allegations that the Georgian government has used it to help Russia move crude needed to finance its war in Ukraine. The potential sanctions place Azerbaijan, whose state-controlled energy entity SOCAR owns an oil terminal in Kulevi, in a tough spot. According to RFE/RL, whichobtaineda draft of the EU’s upcoming 20th sanctions package, the bloc is considering banning transactions with four ports allegedly used for Russian oil exports, including Kulevi in western Georgia. If adopted, the sanctions would mark a major escalation in how Brussels targets Moscow’s export routes and its suspected international abettors. The draft document asserts Kulevi is being used “for the maritime transportation of crude oil or petroleum products produced in Russia or exported by Russian ships that use irregular and high-risk shipping practices,” RFE/RL reported. Reuters alsoreportedthat the sanctions package, if adopted, would add Kulevi in Georgia and Karimun in Indonesia to the EU blacklist. SOCAR launched…

🇪🇺 POLITICO: The EU may push ahead with sanctions on Russian Lukoil and Rosneft while new sanctions on the Russian shadow fleet vessels and supporting services are expected. A full ban on Russian oil is unlikely to proceed, however, as is a proposed ban on maritime service.

The latest EU sanctions package, which could be adopted in July, would see 30 more vessels from Russia's shadow fleet listed and expand the listing criteria to ⁠vessels involved ​in refuelling sanctioned ships or offloading cargo, European officials have said.

❗️The EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia may include measures against Lukoil and Rosneft, Politico reports. The package could be approved as early as next week, but is unlikely to impose a full ban on maritime services tied to Russian oil transport.

EU adopts 20th package of sanctions against Russia - Finance The Commission welcomes the adoption by EU Member States of the 20 th package of sanctions against Russia. The EU's commitment to a free and sovereign Ukraine is unwavering. This package puts further pressure on Russia to engage in negotiations and do so on terms acceptable for Ukraine. Every day of further Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure is another day of suffering for the Ukrainian people. The new sanctions have a strong anti‑circumvention angle and include robust energy measures, as well as the activation for the first time of the “anti‑circumvention” tool. Today's package also targets financial services (including crypto), trade and media propaganda, and includes further measures for the protection of EU operators. The 20 th package contains the following key elements: Energy measures Russian energy sector listings : 36 listings encompassing both the upstream and downstream segments of the Russian energy sector, including the exploration, extraction, refining, and transportation of oil Shadow fleet ecosystem : Revenues from Russian oil exports are further reduced through the listing of additional…