The committee’s proposal for the 18th Package of sanctions against Russiaaimed at the Energy and Financial Sector, presented today (10.6.2025) by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen Together with EU High Representative Kaya Calla.
The chairman of the Commission reiterated the EU’s appeal to Moscow for a “complete and unconditional ceasefire, at least 30 days” in Ukraine. “Our message is very clear: this war has to end. We need a real ceasefire and Russia has to come to the negotiating table with a serious proposal, “von der Layen said.
“We want peace for Ukraine, but despite the weeks of diplomatic efforts, despite Ukrainian President Zelenski’s proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, Russia continues to bring death and destruction to Ukraine,” she said, noting that “Russia” Consequently, the EU will intensify pressure because “power is the only language that Russia understands,” the committee’s chairman added.
In particular, in the energy sector, the Commission for the first time proposes to launch a ban on transactions for the Northstream I and II pipelines. “No EU exploitation carrier will be able to get involved directly or indirectly in any transaction on Northstream pipelines,” von der Layen said.
The committee proposes the reduction of the Russian oil prices from $ 60 to $ 45 per barrel – a matter that von der Laien will be discussed at the G7 summit that will take place at the end of the week in Canada.
At the same time, the Commission proposes to add to the list of already 342 tankers, an additional 77 tankers belonging to Russia’s so -called “shadow fleet” and which helps it bypass western sanctions.
It is also proposed a ban on introduction of refined products based on Russian crude oil “to prevent part of the Russian crude oil from the EU market from the back door,” said Ursula von der Laen.
In the banking sector, the EU’s goal is to limit Russia’s ability to raise funds and conduct transactions. The Commission proposes to convert the existing ban on the use of the SWIFT system into a complete ban on transactions and to be implemented in another 22 Russian banks. In addition, the Commission proposes to extend the ban on financial entities in third countries that fund trade to Russia by bypassing sanctions.
He also proposes to impose sanctions on the Russian Fund for direct investment, his subsidiaries and his investment projects. “In this way, an important project funding channel will be reduced to modernize the Russian economy and strengthen its industrial base,” von der Laen said.
Finally, the Commission proposes further prohibitions of exports worth more than EUR 2.5 billion. “This ban will deprive Russian economy critical technology and industrial goods,” von der Laien said, stressing that the aim is machinery, metals, plastics and chemicals. It will also limit the export of dual -use goods and technologies used for the production of drones, missiles and other weapons systems, to ensure that Russia does not find ways to modernize its weapons with European technologies.
Concluding, von der Layen said that “we want sanctions to be applied and to be better respected”, so the Commission proposes to expand the scope of the ban on transactions already existing in 22 Russian and foreign companies that provide immediate or indirect support to the military and industrial. “Putin’s ability to continue the war depends largely on the support he receives from third countries. Those who support the Russian war and the effort to conquer Ukraine are very responsible, “said von der Laienne.