Brussels expands Russia blacklist ahead of larger sanctions package

European Union foreign ministers have approved a fresh set of sanctions against Russia, signing off on a deal already backed by ambassadors from all 27 member states at a meeting in Luxembourg.

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, on Monday.

Photo: EPA/Olivier Hoslet

The so-called "mini package" expands the EU’s existing blacklist, adding travel bans, asset freezes and financing restrictions.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the measures would further constrain Russia’s defence industry and cut revenues from its energy sector.

Russia increased attacks on Ukrainian civilians again last night and carried out strikes that damaged a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyiv.

These are war crimes, and Russia will have to answer for them.

In response, today we are adopting additional sanctions targeting Russia's… pic.twitter.com/cKR7U5A58v

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 15, 2026

The new blacklist targets senior figures and companies across Russia's military-industrial complex – suppliers of drones, missiles, satellite components, electronics, machinery and naval equipment – as well as oil traders and firms helping Moscow evade existing restrictions.

Also hit are companies from China, Hong Kong, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Liberia providing technical support to the country.

The measures also cover oil sector firms using vessels from Russia's so-called shadow fleet to transport crude oil in breach of international sanctions.

The measures are described as limited in scope.

A fuller 21st sanctions package, proposed by the European Commission last week, still requires unanimous approval from all EU member states before it can pass.

(ał)

Source: IAR