Another Sanctions Package Against Russia. What’s Inside?

The European Commission has presented a draft of the 20th sanctions package against Russia, signaling the continuation of strong pressure on the country amid the ongoing geopolitical conflict. This was announced on Friday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an official statement.The new package places particular emphasis on digital assets and the crypto sector, reflecting the growing role of technology in circumventing traditional economic restrictions. Specifically, the proposal includes strict measures targeting cryptocurrencies and companies operating in this space, including trading platforms and exchanges.

In practice, this means enhanced control and monitoring of all digital asset transactions that are in any way linked to Russia, aiming to limit the ability to bypass sanctions through decentralized or semi-decentralized financial instruments.

Separately, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas emphasized that the European Union intends to ban the use of the digital ruble (CBDC) within its territory. Such a step could have serious consequences for the international legitimacy of Russia’s national digital currency and restrict Russia’s capacity for cross-border payments and digital asset operations.

Beyond crypto-related measures, the new package also includes a range of more traditional but equally painful restrictions. These include a full ban on maritime transport of Russian oil, effectively blocking one of the country’s key export channels, as well as new sanctions targeting the energy and financial sectors. The proposal also calls for adding 43 more vessels from the so-called “shadow fleet” to the sanctions list – ships that have been used to bypass existing restrictions and transport hydrocarbons.

In the financial sphere, the EU plans to impose restrictions on up to 20 Russian banks, as well as several banks in third countries that have assisted in evading current sanctions. These measures are expected to increase pressure on liquidity and financing opportunities for Russian companies and state structures abroad.

Overall, the 20th sanctions package demonstrates the EU’s comprehensive approach: combining traditional restrictions against energy and finance with new limitations in the sphere of digital technologies and cryptocurrencies. Analysts note that this reflects regulators’ understanding of the growing role of digital assets in international economic flows and an attempt to minimize sanction-evasion opportunities through innovative financial tools.

Experts predict that the implementation of the new package could significantly affect Russian exports, financial flows, and crypto-related operations, leading to further isolation of the country on the international stage. In addition, the inclusion of the digital ruble in the list of banned assets sets a precedent for the regulation of national CBDCs in the global financial system and highlights the EU’s increasing concern over controlling digital currencies that may be used to circumvent sanctions.