19th EU Sanctions Package Against Russia: What Has Changed

On 23 October 2025, the Council adopted the EU sanctions package against Russia. This new package intensifies pressure on Russia’s energy, finance, logistics, and defense sectors; introduces additional restrictions on transactions with banks and crypto providers in third countries; and tightens controls on the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area. Parallel measures against Belarus have also been expanded.

Legal Basis and Documents EU sanctions

The package is implemented through amendments to the EU’s foundational legal acts on sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Key documents were published in the Official Journal of the EU (OJ) on 23.10.2025, including amendments to Regulations (EU) No 830/2014 and No 269/2014, as well as related CFSP Decisions:

• Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2033 (amending Regulation 833/2014);
• Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2037 (amending Regulation 269/2014);
• Council Decisions and Implementing Regulations/Decisions containing updated listings.

The full list and links are available in the Council’s press release (see the “Legal acts” section). Below is a summary of the key measures included in the new sanctions package targeting Russia and Belarus.

Energy EU sanctions

Phased ban on imports of Russian LNG:

• Short-term contracts must end within 6 months;
• Long-term contracts must terminate no later than 1 January 2027.

Financial restrictions on major Russian oil and gas companies—Rosneft and Gazprom Neft—have been significantly tightened.

Special focus is placed on combating the “shadow fleet”: 117 additional tankers added to the blacklist (bringing the total to 557 vessels), and a ban imposed on reinsurance for vessels involved in illicit oil product shipments.

Finance

The new sanctions substantially complicate financial transactions involving Russia:

• All operations involving the Russian government-backed stablecoin system are now prohibited, including developers, issuers, and trading platforms.
• Five Russian banks and several trading companies from third countries—including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong—are now subject to restrictions.
• Use of Russia’s national payment systems “MIR” and the Fast Payment System (FPS) is explicitly banned.

Diplomats

To enhance transparency regarding Russian diplomats’ movements within Schengen countries, a new advance-notification procedure has been introduced. Russian diplomats may now travel outside their accredited EU member state only after receiving prior formal approval from the host EU country.

Exports EU sanctions

Export controls have been significantly tightened on goods and equipment that could be used for military purposes or are critical to Russia’s defense sector. Controls now cover 45 newly designated supplier companies, many registered in China, Hong Kong, India, and Thailand.
The list of controlled items has been expanded to include electronics, chemicals for rocket fuel production, metal alloys, rubber products, construction materials, and other categories. Notably, for the first time, sanctions target gold production at Russia’s largest gold-mining enterprise.

Services

Specific services are now under strict control, including:

• Information and communications technology (ICT);
• Artificial intelligence (AI) services;
• High-performance computing (HPC);
• Commercial use of space-based services;
• Tourism services provided to Russian nationals.

Any service provision to the Russian government now requires prior authorization from competent authorities of EU member states.

Sanctions Against Belarus

In parallel with measures targeting Russia, the EU has added new individuals and entities linked to support for the Belarusian regime to its sanctions lists. The EU continues its practice of “mirror” trade restrictions to prevent circumvention of sanctions via Belarusian territory.

What EU sanctions Means for Business (EU/EEA and Third Countries)

The adoption of this sanctions package significantly impacts business operations—both for companies based in Europe and those operating in third countries. Firms must urgently adapt existing contracts, payment procedures, logistics routes, and export control mechanisms. This challenge is especially acute for enterprises with direct or indirect ties to Russian counterparties.

Need help auditing contracts and supply routes?

FPRO (Estonia) assists companies in rapidly aligning contracts, payment workflows, logistics, and export controls with the latest EU regulations, and in implementing practical sanctions compliance (KYC/KYB/EDD, on-chain monitoring, screening of vessels/banks/counterparties).

Contact us—we’ll conduct a rapid audit and develop a tailored compliance roadmap based on your jurisdictions and supply chains.