From crypto bans to shadow fleet seizures, EU gets creative with Russia sanctions
The European Union has enacted its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, targeting a wide range of entities including banks, drone manufacturers, and cryptocurrency platforms. The package also focuses on individuals accused of spreading propaganda and sports-washing, reflecting an increasingly creative and global approach to enforcement.
Why it matters
This expansion demonstrates the EU's commitment to closing loopholes and using non-economic measures to pressure Russia's war efforts on a global scale.
(L-R) European Council President Antonio Costa, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, on June 18, 2026. (Nicolas Tucat / AFP / Getty Images)
Prefer on Google by Chris Powers BRUSSELS, Belgium — Despite a long and difficult birth, EU countries passed the bloc's 21st package of sanctions against Russia on July 23, and the measures that made it through show that the EU is not lacking in creativity when it comes to restricting Russia's war efforts.
The EU published 218 new sanctioned entities in its July 23 announcement, the most in a single sanctions package since 2022.
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