EU adopts “largest” Russia sanctions package in four years, Kallas says

The European Union has approved its largest sanctions package against Russia in the past four years, introducing 218 new restrictive measures, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said.

Writing on X, she noted that the 21st sanctions package targets more than 100 Russian banks and cryptocurrency operators, over 40 vessels linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet, and several oil refineries in Russia and Belarus, Caliber.Az reports.

She added that the measures also cover more than 50 defence industry companies, including key entities involved in the production of Russia's long-range drones.

“This comes on top of last week’s sanctions on those responsible for the abuse and killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, alongside tech companies enabling the Kremlin’s repressions of internet users,” she stressed.

This is our largest round in four years, totalling 218 listings.

We’ve hit more than a hundred banks and crypto operators, over 40 shadow fleet vessels, and several oil refineries in Russia and Belarus, who help keep Moscow’s war going.

We are also responding to Russia’s…

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) July 23, 2026

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov