EU Unveils 21st Round of Sanctions Against Russia, First-Ever Ban on Entry for Russian Military Personnel
On June 10, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the submission of the 21st round of sanctions against Russia to the 27 member states, marking the largest sanctions package since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The measures span multiple sectors including energy, finance, trade, fisheries, and crypto assets.
EUROPEAN UNION,POLITICS
Global N Press
6/10/20261 min read
On June 10, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the submission of the 21st round of sanctions against Russia to the 27 member states, marking the largest sanctions package since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The measures span multiple sectors including energy, finance, trade, fisheries, and crypto assets. In the energy sector, the EU proposed suspending the automatic adjustment mechanism for the Russian crude oil price cap until January 2027, while adding 30 vessels to the sanctions list and imposing restrictions on vessels providing refueling services to Russia‘s shadow fleet for the first time. In the financial sphere, the EU aims to sanction up to 90 banks, bringing the total number of sanctioned banks to over 100 and covering more than half of Russia’s lending institutions tied to the international financial system, while also prohibiting transactions with 35 banks and over a dozen crypto asset platforms.
Additionally, the EU proposed for the first time a ban on entry into the EU for individuals who have served in the Russian armed forces since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022. An EU diplomatic source said the new sanctions aim to weaken Russia‘s financial system and pressure Moscow into peace negotiations with Ukraine. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that the EU is not in a position to negotiate with Russia at present and will therefore continue its unilateral sanctions policy. EU leaders hope the package will receive unanimous approval from all 27 member states by July 15. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova vowed tough countermeasures and said Brussels has failed to shake Russian policy despite continuously expanding sanctions.
