Von der Leyen: EU's 21st Russia sanctions target shadow fleet, banks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the approval of the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia, which targets Russian banks and, for the first time, vessels supporting Russia's so-called shadow fleet.

In a post on X, von der Leyen said the new measures are aimed at further weakening the economic base of Moscow's military machine, Caliber.Az reports.

According to her, the package adds 32 Russian banks to the EU's transaction blacklist, along with cryptocurrency firms and oil trading platforms.

She added that the bloc would freeze adjustments to the oil price cap for one year to prevent Russia from benefiting from market shocks.

“Freezing the oil price cap adjustment for a year, so that the Russian war machine does not benefit from market shocks. For the first time, we’re targeting vessels assisting Russia’s shadow fleet. And we took an important step towards formally banning Russian combatants from entering the EU,” she emphasised.

I welcome the agreement on the 21st sanctions package against Russia.

At a time when Ukraine has built military momentum, our sanctions continue to weaken the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort.

We’re adding 32 more Russian banks to our transaction ban list.

As well…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 23, 2026

She also thanked Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, for helping secure agreement on the new sanctions package.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov