EU approves 18th package of sanctions against Russia
The restrictions introduced by the 18th package of sanctions of the European Union against the Russian Federation include, in particular, a reduction in the marginal price for Russian oil
The European Union has approved the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which further limits the military budget of the aggressor country.
This was announced by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, on the social network X, Ukrinform reports.
"We stand firm. The EU has just approved one of the toughest sanctions packages against Russia to date," Kaia Kallas wrote.
According to her, with these sanctions, the European Union is further restricting the Kremlin's military budget, "targeting another 105 shadow fleet ships, their suppliers, and limiting Russian banks' access to financing."
"The Nord Stream pipelines will be banned. The marginal price for oil will be lower. We are increasing pressure on the Russian military industry, Chinese banks that allow sanctions to be circumvented, and blocking the export of technologies used in drones," the EU foreign policy chief noted.
She also emphasized that for the first time, the EU is including the registry of shipping flags and the largest oil refinery of Rosneft Corporation in India in the sanctions list.
"We will continue to raise the price (of war for Russia. – Ed.), so stopping the aggression becomes the only way out for Moscow," the EU High Representative summed up.
Recall that the 18th package of sanctions was planned to be adopted a few weeks ago, but Slovakia has consistently blocked this process. However, yesterday, July 17, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed to stop opposing the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia and said that he would allow it to be approved as early as July 18.
By the end of May 2025, Russia had lost about $450 billion in revenues from its energy sector due to international sanctions, and two-thirds of the liquid assets of the National Welfare Fund had already been spent. This was stated by Lieutenant Colonel Joby Rimmer, Senior Military Advisor to the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the OSCE, during a meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation in Vienna.
At the same time, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has received 883 billion euros in revenues from the sale of oil and gas. In particular, 228 billion euros came from countries that imposed sanctions on Russia.
As reported by "Ukrainian Energy", in May 2025, the EU approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions concern, in particular, almost 200 vessels of the shadow fleet.
