EU Passes 21st Russia Sanctions Package, Listing 218 Entities and 94 Banks
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Independent · Jul 24
EU Passes 21st Russia Sanctions Package, Listing 218 Entities and 94 Banks
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Independent · Jul 24
Summary
218 new listings in the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package broaden the crackdown to 94 banks, Moscow’s stock exchange, 14 crypto platforms and 41 more shadow-fleet vessels.
94 banks—about 50% of Russia’s banking sector by count—were fully blocked from trade with Europe, while new measures also hit $12 billion in gold exports and the $2 billion diamond trade.
14 third-country crypto platforms were named for helping Russia evade sanctions, and EU states won authority to impose country-level bans where multiple platforms undermine enforcement.
41 additional shadow-fleet ships were sanctioned as the EU also let member states confiscate cargo or assets from boarded vessels and barred third-country ships from servicing the fleet.
Greece secured an LNG-shipping exemption that preserved transport to third countries, while the bloc froze the Russian oil price cap near $44 a barrel for 12 months and began work on a 22nd package.
Is EU unity against Russia fracturing under the weight of national interests after 21 rounds of sanctions?
As Russia still gets Western tech, are the EU's 'watered-down' sanctions failing to stop its war machine?
Can a new $44 oil price cap truly slash Russia's war funding when its 'shadow fleet' still sails?
The EU’s 21st Sanctions Package on Russia: Record Measures, National Exemptions, and the Struggle for Unity
Overview
On July 23, 2026, EU ambassadors reached immediate agreement on the 21st sanctions package against Russia, marking the EU’s biggest move in four years to weaken Russia’s economic foundations during the Ukraine conflict. Welcomed by the EU Commission president, these measures extend the oil price cap to further limit Russia’s energy revenues and continue to undermine its war efforts. The package reflects the EU’s ongoing strategy to intensify economic pressure on Russia, especially as Ukraine gains military momentum, and highlights the bloc’s commitment to closing loopholes and strengthening its sanctions regime.