EU adopts 19th sanctions package against Russia

Date:

October 23, 2025

The Council of the EU approved on 23 October 2025 a new set of measures targeting Russia’s energy sector and its so-called “shadow fleet.”

Key points:

Ban on imports of Russian LNG – effective from January 2027 for long-term contracts, and within six months for short-term ones.

Tighter restrictions on Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, plus a new listing of a conglomerate from Tatarstan.

Sanctions on third-country entities, including three Chinese companies (two refineries and one oil trading firm) that finance Russia’s oil exports.

Crackdown on the “shadow fleet” – new listings include Litasco Middle East DMCC (linked to Lukoil), registries providing fake flags, and Russian port operators.

Port entry ban for another 117 vessels, bringing the total number of sanctioned ships to 557.

Ban on reinsurance services for vessels tied to the shadow fleet, further limiting their operations.

This new package strengthens the EU’s efforts to curb Kremlin revenues and close loopholes in existing energy sanctions.

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