France says EU aims to finalise 20th sanctions package against Russia by year-end

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has announced plans to complete work on the European Union’s next sanctions package targeting Russia.

Barrot stated that the EU’s 20th set of sanctions over Russia’s aggression against Ukraine could be finalised before the end of 2025, per European Pravda.

“We hope it will be completed by the end of the year,” he said.

He also revealed that the new package will include restrictions on six Russian judges and four penitentiary officials for issuing politically motivated sentences.

Barrot stressed that securing a just and lasting peace is central to ending the war in Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added that any peace initiatives must involve Ukraine and Europe and have their full backing.

The package, currently in negotiation among EU member states, builds on the 19th round adopted in October 2025, which targeted Russia's shadow fleet, energy revenues, and financial sectors.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU has adopted 19 sanction rounds, progressively tightening restrictions to curb Moscow's war financing and military capabilities. The measures, renewed every six months, now cover over 2,300 individuals and entities, with an economic impact estimated at €300 billion in frozen assets and lost revenues. 

By Khagan Isayev