EU set to approve weakened Russia sanctions after internal wrangling

European Union member states are expected to approve a significantly watered-down package of sanctions against Russia after weeks of negotiations exposed deep divisions over measures targeting Russian military personnel and the country's energy sector, Euractiv reports.

National envoys are seeking to finalize the bloc's 21st sanctions package since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with foreign ministers expected to formally consider the agreement on July 13. However, diplomats say many of the proposal's toughest provisions have been substantially diluted during negotiations.

"The aim is to bring the package to conclusion," one senior EU diplomat said, adding that talks remain ongoing and warning that the package could still fail to secure approval.

One of the most contentious issues has been a proposal, backed by the Baltic states, to bar Russian military personnel from entering the European Union. Originally put forward by Estonia and Lithuania and later formally proposed by the European Commission, the measure envisioned denying entry to former Russian soldiers.

However, France, Italy and Greece have pushed to significantly soften the proposal, citing concerns from countries whose tourism sectors benefit from Russian visitors. The current compromise moves away from an automatic visa ban for anyone who participated in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Several member states have instead called for a narrower and more targeted approach, arguing that a broader restriction would be difficult to implement and would reduce the discretion of national visa authorities.

According to a diplomatic source, the revised proposal would apply only to short-term visas and limit restrictions to individuals who actively participated in combat or directly contributed to Russian military operations.

A diplomatic report seen by Euractiv showed that the number of visas issued to Russian nationals increased by 10.2% in 2025 compared with the previous year, with France, Italy and Spain issuing the highest number of visas.

Negotiators are also struggling to reach consensus on measures targeting Russia's energy revenues.

According to officials, the sanctions package is expected to include a proposal to freeze the European Union's existing oil price cap on Russian crude. The mechanism prohibits European companies from providing services, including insurance, for Russian oil shipments sold above $44 per barrel.

Under the current pricing formula, the cap is scheduled to rise above $60 per barrel on July 15, exceeding the market price of Russia's flagship Urals crude blend.

It remains unclear, however, whether member states will agree to the European Commission's proposal to extend the freeze for six months. Greece, supported by other shipping-dependent countries, is advocating a shorter, three-month extension.

In exchange for backing the freeze, Greece has also requested an exemption allowing it to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-EU countries. Such a concession would effectively weaken the European Commission's assertion that a planned ban on purchases of Russian LNG, due to take effect in January, would also prohibit the resale of the fuel to countries outside the bloc.

Diplomats said member states have nevertheless reached broad agreement on banning the sale of LNG tankers to Russia, in line with the Commission's proposal.

Other sanctions have also been softened during negotiations. Proposed restrictions on Russian fish exports have been diluted, with Germany expected to secure an exemption allowing continued imports of haddock, while Poland and Portugal are likely to receive carve-outs for pollock and cod, respectively.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria's opposition to sanctioning Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is expected to result in his removal from the sanctions list.

By Vafa Guliyeva