EU unveils 18th sanctions bundle against Moscow
(MENAFN) The European Union has finalized its 18th sanctions package against Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, focusing on Moscow’s energy and banking industries, announced EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The Kremlin condemned the measures as “illegal” and unilateral.
Earlier this week, the package stalled after Slovakia opposed it, but Bratislava reversed its stance after receiving assurances from the European Commission regarding gas and oil supplies, calling continued blockage “counterproductive.” Following a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels, Kallas described the sanctions as “one of the strongest” yet and affirmed the bloc’s commitment to sustained economic pressure until the conflict ends.
While Russia has expressed willingness to discuss a diplomatic resolution with Kyiv, it demands legally binding terms addressing the conflict’s core issues. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s rejection of unilateral sanctions, stating Russia has adapted to them but warning the restrictions also negatively impact the countries imposing them.
The new measures prohibit transactions with 22 Russian banks and the Russian Direct Investment Fund and ban the use of the Nord Stream pipelines, which have been out of service since 2022 due to sabotage. The EU also replaced its fixed $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian crude with a flexible mechanism set 15% below the average market price.
Additionally, 105 more vessels have been blacklisted for transporting Russian oil while circumventing sanctions, raising the total number of blocked tankers to over 400. Since the conflict escalated, Russia has shifted its energy exports mainly to Asia, with China and India as key buyers.
Some EU members, including Hungary and Slovakia, have criticized the sanctions for harming the bloc’s economy without effectively halting the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the package stalled after Slovakia opposed it, but Bratislava reversed its stance after receiving assurances from the European Commission regarding gas and oil supplies, calling continued blockage “counterproductive.” Following a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels, Kallas described the sanctions as “one of the strongest” yet and affirmed the bloc’s commitment to sustained economic pressure until the conflict ends.
While Russia has expressed willingness to discuss a diplomatic resolution with Kyiv, it demands legally binding terms addressing the conflict’s core issues. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s rejection of unilateral sanctions, stating Russia has adapted to them but warning the restrictions also negatively impact the countries imposing them.
The new measures prohibit transactions with 22 Russian banks and the Russian Direct Investment Fund and ban the use of the Nord Stream pipelines, which have been out of service since 2022 due to sabotage. The EU also replaced its fixed $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian crude with a flexible mechanism set 15% below the average market price.
Additionally, 105 more vessels have been blacklisted for transporting Russian oil while circumventing sanctions, raising the total number of blocked tankers to over 400. Since the conflict escalated, Russia has shifted its energy exports mainly to Asia, with China and India as key buyers.
Some EU members, including Hungary and Slovakia, have criticized the sanctions for harming the bloc’s economy without effectively halting the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research

- Falconx Launches First Ethereum Staking Rate Forwards (Fras) Referencing Treehouse's TESR
- Ethereum Based Meme Coin Pepeto Presale Past $6.7 Million As Exchange Demo Launches
- Solstice Announces Strategic Collaboration With Chainlink And Leading Custody And Venture Firms To Enhance Ecosystem Ahead Of USX Stablecoin Launch
- Zebu Live 2025 Welcomes Coinbase, Solana, And Other Leaders Together For UK's Biggest Web3 Summit
- Falcon Finance Unveils $FF Governance Token In Updated Whitepaper
- Noveba Brings Apple Pay To Customers
Comments
No comment