(BRUSSELS) – The European Union has proposed its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, with measures targeting the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, the energy sector, financial services, cryptocurrency trading and, for the first time, the fishing industry.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the new restrictions on 9 June, stating they would focus on sectors where the impact on the aggressor country would be greatest.
“Today we are proposing the 21st package of sanctions. We are focusing on sectors where the impact will be greatest. These are energy, financial services, and cryptocurrency trading. And this time, for the first time, the fishing industry is included in the package,” von der Leyen said.
Three diplomats confirmed to Euronews that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is included on the list of individuals to be restricted, though the official list has not yet been published. The Russian Patriarch is accused by the EU of spreading revisionist propaganda intended to justify the war in Ukraine. Under his leadership, the Russian Orthodox Church approved a document calling for the destruction of Ukrainian independence and describing the invasion as a “Holy War.”
The EU first attempted to include Kirill on the blacklist in 2022. However, Hungary, then led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, blocked the move, citing religious freedom. The recently elected new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has declared his readiness to lift his predecessor’s most controversial veto and to support sanctions against Kirill.
Due to Kirill’s special status as head of the Russian Orthodox Church, it remains unclear whether all 27 EU countries will support the measure. Unanimous approval is required to include an individual on the sanctions list.
Brussels expects to agree on the full package by 15 July to avoid an automatic review of the price cap on Russian oil.
In the energy sector, the European Commission proposes to maintain the current price cap mechanism for Russian oil without adjustment until January next year. Sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet will expand to include another 30 vessels.
For the first time, restrictions may affect vessels that support the operation of the shadow fleet, as well as ports, airports and oil refineries involved in the trade or processing of Russian oil. The Commission also proposes to ban the sale of tankers for transporting liquefied natural gas to Russia.
A separate block of sanctions will target the financial sector. The EU plans to extend the ban on operations to another 31 Russian banks, as well as to 20 banks, cryptocurrency companies, platforms and oil traders in third countries that have helped circumvent sanctions.
“For the first time, we will also introduce the possibility of a full ban for cryptocurrency services in third countries. This will become a powerful deterrent for platforms that help Russia circumvent sanctions,” von der Leyen stated.
New trade restrictions include a ban on the export to Russia of additional metals and alloys used in the aerospace and defence sectors, as well as in the production of drones. Electronic jamming systems, launch systems and other specialised equipment may also fall under the restrictions.
The EU proposes new import restrictions on Russian goods with a total value of approximately 60 million euros (65.4 million US dollars), covering certain types of metals, ores and auto parts. Fishing may also fall under sanctions, with the Commission proposing to significantly restrict the import of certain types of fish products and completely ban the import of some, including cod.
The package also provides for the harmonisation of trade restrictions regarding Belarus to prevent the circumvention of anti Russian sanctions through its territory.
One of the principal innovations of the 21st sanctions package is the ban on entry into the European Union for individuals who served in the Russian armed forces after the start of the full scale war against Ukraine.
“Europe will remain closed to everyone who participated in the invasion of Ukraine. It’s very simple,” von der Leyen emphasised.
The European Commission President stated that four years after the start of the full scale invasion, Russia has clearly failed to subdue Ukraine, and economic pressure must therefore be increased.
“Four years after the start of the full scale invasion, Russia has clearly failed to subdue Ukraine. The price Russia pays is becoming higher every day,” she said.
She noted that EU sanctions continue to weaken the economic foundations of the Russian war machine. The Russian economy is slowing, the budget is under increasing pressure, and energy revenues at the beginning of 2026 have decreased by approximately 40 percent.
“Hundreds of vessels of the Russian shadow fleet have fallen under our sanctions. Export controls deprive the Russian defence industry of critical technologies and components. So our consistency in implementing sanctions packages is bringing results,” von der Leyen stated.
Beyond sanctions, the Commission confirmed continued financial support for Ukraine. Ukraine received almost 3 billion euros (3.27 billion US dollars) under the Ukraine Facility programme the previous day, and the first tranche under a new 90 billion euro (98.1 billion US dollars) loan mechanism will be disbursed shortly.
Von der Leyen also reported that in the coming days, the EU will officially open the first negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, marking the official start of the next stage of negotiations on accession to the European Union.