European Commission approves 19th sanctions package against Russia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU has adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at further curbing revenues fueling Moscow’s war.

“Russia's war economy is sustained by the revenues from fossil fuels. We want to cut these revenues. So we are banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets. It is time to turn off the tap. We are prepared for this,” von der Leyen said.

The package also lowers the price cap on Russian crude oil to $47.6 per barrel and blacklists 118 ships from the so-called “shadow fleet,” bringing the total number under EU restrictions to more than 560. In addition, major state-owned energy companies Rosneft and Gazpromneft are now completely barred from transactions.

“We target oil refineries, oil traders, and petrochemical companies in third countries, including China. In three years, oil revenues from Russia have gone down in Europe by more than 90%. Now we are turning that page for good,” von der Leyen added.

For the first time, the measures extend to crypto platforms, banning transactions in cryptocurrencies. The EU is also introducing new export restrictions on battlefield-related goods and technologies and adding 45 companies from Russia and third countries to its sanctions list.

“We will continue to use all the tool at our disposal to bring this brutal war to an end,” von der Leyen stressed.

Earlier, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinheiro told journalists at a Brussels briefing that the 19th sanctions package against Russia has been approved, according to an Ukrinform report.

“I can confirm that the Commission has approved the 19th sanctions package against the Russian Federation today,” she said.

Details of the package will be announced this afternoon, September 19, by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

• The EU delayed its 19th sanctions package against Russia due to U.S. and EU pressure on Slovakia and Hungary to cut their dependence on Russian oil.
• Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined what could be included in the 19th sanctions package. Priorities include the Russian banking sector and banks in countries that continue trading with Russia, as well as shadow fleet infrastructure that funds Russia’s war: ship captains, insurers, terminals used for oil shipments, and market operators who tolerate Russian schemes.