EU Adopts the 18th Sanctions Package Against Russia

 On 18 July 2025, the EU adopted its 18th package of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new measures aim to intensify the economic pressure on Russia, target circumvention networks, and reinforce accountability efforts — particularly concerning violations of international law.

This new package focuses on five key areas: reducing Russia’s energy revenues (including a lowered oil price cap and bans on oil-derived products), tightening financial restrictions (with 22 additional banks listed), expanding export bans on critical technology and goods, and strengthening anti-circumvention tools with new listings in Russia, Türkiye, and China.

The EU has also sanctioned individuals and entities involved in the indoctrination and deportation of Ukrainian children, as well as Russian proxies and propagandists in occupied territories.

Belarus is additionally targeted, with new bans on arms procurement, banking transactions, and advanced tech exports.

With 55 new individual and entity listed, 105 more shadow fleet vessels, and a broadened scope of enforcement, this package significantly reinforces the EU’s restrictive measures architecture.

Finally, three tankers have been de-listed following firm commitments that they will no longer engage in the transport of Russian energy to the Russian Yamal and Arctic 2 projects for which they were initially commissioned.

 Key regulations include Regulation (EU) 2025/1472, Regulation (EU) 2025/1494, Implementing regulation (EU) 2025/1469 and Implementing regulation (EU) 2025/1476.

 For more information, please contact :

 Bruno Lebrun – Partner – b.lebrun@janson.be

Cédric Alter – Partner – c.alter@janson.be