Strike on the “shadow fleet” and the military sector: the EU is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia

The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia, which could target the “shadow fleet”, the banking sector and companies in the military-industrial complex. Brussels believes that increased economic pressure should increase pressure on the Kremlin in negotiations over the war in Ukraine.

This is reported by Politico .

According to journalists, the European Union has begun preparing the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. It may be presented in late June or early July 2026.

One of the main directions of the new sanctions package may be the fight against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – a network of tankers used to transport Russian oil in circumvention of international restrictions.

European diplomats and officials say sanctions could also affect:

• Russian banks;
• financial institutions;
• companies of the military-industrial complex;
• structures related to the sale of Ukrainian grain;
• individual representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In particular, the article discusses the possibility of returning to the sanctions initiative against Patriarch Kirill, who is called an ally of Vladimir Putin and a supporter of the war against Ukraine. The EU’s top diplomat, Kaia Kallas, stated that after the elections in Hungary, the European Union has a new impetus for adopting sanctions decisions.

“After the Hungarian elections, there was a new impetus for sanctions. We should return to the sanctions that were previously on the table but not agreed upon, and also work on a new package,” Kallas said.

Brussels also believes that the economic situation in Russia is deteriorating. One senior EU official said that the current moment is favorable for increasing sanctions pressure.

“The economic situation inside Russia is now the worst since the beginning of the war. That is why it is time to increase pressure,” the interlocutor told journalists.

European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said that G7 partners should continue their policy of pressure on Russia.

“Now is not the time to ease pressure on Russia,” he said.

The article also notes that the EU is considering returning to restrictions on maritime services for Russian vessels. This initiative was previously blocked by Malta and Greece.

Separately, European officials believe that Ukraine has strengthened its position in the war and negotiations thanks to EU financial support, the development of its own defense production, and the situation on the front. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful said that Europe is ready to take on more responsibility in supporting Ukraine.

“We are ready to take on more responsibility and are currently discussing this with the US and Ukraine,” said Vadeful.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also stressed the need for further support for Ukraine.

“We will continue to support Ukraine’s defense and resilience together with the EU and other partners,” Eide added.

On the eve, European diplomats reported that the 20th package of sanctions by the European Union will not include a complete ban on the provision of maritime services to Russian vessels transporting oil and petroleum products.

Earlier, it was reported that ambassadors of the European Union countries agreed on a loan for Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros and approved the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

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