Kallas: EU to ban Russia’s digital rouble, tighten crypto curbs

The European Union plans to ban Russia’s central bank digital currency, tighten measures against cryptocurrencies, and prohibit interactions with Russian crypto-asset service providers as part of its latest effort to choke off funding for Moscow’s war effort, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

In a statement posted on X, Kallas said more banks supplying the Kremlin — both in Russia and in third countries — will face transaction bans and be cut off from the SWIFT messaging system, Caliber.Az reports.

Wars end when one side runs out of money.
Cutting cash flows to Moscow is essential to stop the fighting.

More banks supplying the Kremlin will face transaction bans, in Russian and in third countries. All will be cut off from SWIFT.

We will also ban Russia’s central bank…

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 6, 2026

"Wars end when one side runs out of money. Cutting cash flows to Moscow is essential to stop the fighting. More banks supplying the Kremlin will face transaction bans, in Russian and in third countries. All will be cut off from SWIFT. We will also ban Russia’s central bank digital currency, take more crypto currencies’ measures and forbid interactions with Russian crypto-asset service providers," she wrote.

The proposed measures also include sanctions on dozens of companies in Russia’s energy sector and entities at home and abroad that support the operation of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, with more than 40 additional vessels to be blacklisted.

The EU also wants to prohibit maintenance services for Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers, a move Kallas said would severely hamper their operations, and to adjust oil price cap rules to enable a future full ban on maritime services.

Kallas also said sanctions will continue against individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes involving children, the appropriation of Ukrainian cultural heritage, and the spread of Russian propaganda.

Kallas’s comments follow the EU’s announcement of its 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

By Sabina Mammadli