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EU adopts 21st sanctions package against Russia, expanding pressure over war in Ukraine

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

The Council of the European Union has adopted its 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia, introducing new economic sanctions and significantly expanding the list of individuals and entities targeted in response to Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

According to an official statement issued by the Council, the latest package includes “robust economic sanctions targeting the sectors with the greatest impact on Russia’s economy and its ability to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine.”

The new sanctions list is the largest adopted by the European Union in the past four years, adding 218 new listings, comprising 48 individuals and 170 entities.

The Council said the measures follow what it described as Russia’s recent “deliberate and brutal military attacks” against civilian infrastructure, including energy, water supply, and healthcare facilities, as well as cultural and religious sites. According to the EU, these attacks have caused severe hardship for the civilian population.

The European Union reaffirmed its determination to maintain and increase pressure on Russia in an effort to bring an end to the war and compel Moscow to engage in meaningful…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Nicolae Gheorghiu

These new sanctions, with 218 names and companies, seem to hit energy and infrastructure again. But don't they always find detours, as was seen in past packages? I wonder how much this really helps peace.

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

Sanctions continue to hit energy and infrastructure, as you say Nicolae. But from what I see over the years, the Russians always find ways around – oil through third countries, new markets. I don't know if that brings peace faster or just makes the world suffer more.

Михаил Лебедев

Sanctions are already the 21st package, but there has been no mention of peace in Ukraine. All the same talk about energy and infrastructure, but people end up suffering on both sides. I wonder how many more packages are needed for anything to change.

Emma Carter

I keep seeing the same pattern in these packages—hitting energy and infrastructure again, adding hundreds more names—but like Nicolae and the others said, Russia finds ways around it every time. At this point with the 21st round, I wonder if anyone's tracking how much ordinary people on both sides are actually paying for it.

Χρήστος Μακρής

You are right George, the Russians always find ways – I remember last year when there was news about oil going to India and then coming back. The question is whether these sanctions finally hit the target or simply make it harder for our own pocket with the prices. What do you say, do you see any change in Ukraine from so many packages?

Δήμητρα Δημητρίου

I don't know Christos, but from what I see in the news oil and gas prices have hit us hard here in Cyprus, especially last winter when I was paying double bills. If the sanctions do not change anything essential in Ukraine, why not think of other ways instead of putting new packages all the time? Do you have an example that worked?

Στέλιος Νικολαΐδης

The Russians have indeed learned to bypass, as you say, George – I can see it too from the prices not falling as much as we expected. The question is whether, in the end, the sanctions hurt us here in Europe more than them. Do you think that if we continue like this we will ever reach a negotiation?

Θεοδώρα Μακρή

You are right Christos, I also remember those news with the oil through India and then back to Russia. It seems to me that the sanctions make it more difficult for us here in Volos with the prices at the supermarket than they change anything on the front. Do you think if we stop the packages it will get worse?

Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

Dimitra, I also remember that winter when oil prices rose so much that we had difficulty heating the house in Patras. Sanctions really don't seem to stop the war quickly, but on the other hand, if we don't push at all, does it get worse? What other way would you suggest, e.g. diplomacy or something more specific?

Ευαγγελία Μιχαηλίδου

You're right Dimitra, this winter I was also paying electricity bills that made me turn off the radiators early at night. Sanctions seem to hit our pockets more than bring peace. Should we try more joint diplomacy with other countries?

Μαρία Παππά

I also remember that cold winter of 2022, when oil reached 1.40 in Nicosia and Giorgos and I had difficulty heating the living room. I don't know if sanctions are the best way to go, but the diplomacy you say makes more sense to me than adding more lists every few months. Do you think something good can come out of negotiations now?

Ευάγγελος Παπαγεωργίου

Yes Maria, I also remember in 2022 when oil went up so much that I had trouble heating the house with the truck. Negotiations are the only way to get somewhere, as long as both sides sit down without prejudice. What do you think, would Russia agree to talk now that the sanctions are pressing?

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

I also remember in 2022, Maria, when oil reached those levels and Spyros and I had a hard time keeping the house warm without running up the bill. I don't think the new lists help anymore, they're probably just boring. Do you think that diplomacy could start with some small truces first?

Γιάννης Νικολαΐδης

You are right, Evangelia, this year I also paid 180 euros more per month for electricity and I had to put wood in the fireplace from 8 in the evening. The sanctions are hitting us all here in Patras, while the diplomacy you say would be a better solution than continuing like this. What do you say, let's write together to our MEP?

Γιώργος Βασιλείου

I also remember in 2022, Maria, when oil had reached those levels and with my van I was struggling to cover the expenses. I am not sure that negotiations will take place now, because both sides have hardened a lot. What do you think, do you think they need a break from the attacks before they can sit at the table?

Μιχάλης Αθανασίου

Yes, Evangel, I too remember that winter of '22 when the oil price skyrocketed and my wife and I were struggling to pay for the radiator. Negotiations sound reasonable, but I doubt Russia will sit down at the table now that it is feeling the pressure of so many sanctions. Do you think that Brussels will take a step back to start a discussion?

Αγγελική Παναγιωτοπούλου

Yes Michalis, I also remember that winter when we were looking for a way not to turn on the radiator every day. I don't think Brussels will back down now, because they see sanctions as leverage. What do you think, if Russia moves first, will anything change?

Yes, Despina, I also remember that winter of 2022, Spyros kept telling me to turn off the radiators earlier so as not to go crazy with the bill. I'm not sure the new lists change anything anymore, but the little truces you mention seem like a reasonable start to me – how do you envision them starting?

Ηλίας Καραγιάννης

Yes, I remember that winter too, my wife said the same thing about the radiators and we ended up putting blankets on top. The new lists probably won't change much in practice, but the little truces you're talking about, how will they organize them? Maybe through negotiations for specific points like hospitals?

Μιχάλης Κωνσταντίνου

Yeah, my electric bill that winter of '22 was sky high too, I remember turning off the lights early and putting on extra sweaters. I don't think the new lists will bring any change, but for the truces you say, how will they check that they aren't just for the cameras? What do you say, Despina?

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

Yes, blankets are the first solution that comes to mind when the radiators won't turn on, I know that well from my childhood. As for the ceasefires, I think they should start with practical things like the hospitals you mention, because otherwise I don't see how the shelling will stop. Do you think the EU will push hard enough for something like this?

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, blankets and woolen sweaters were the first thing my mother put on when the radiators were turned off in the winter at home. For the hospitals I agree, they have to be protected first, otherwise nothing will progress. Do you think the EU still has the power to really push for a ceasefire or will it just remain on paper?