The EU intensifies pressure on Moscow: Von der Leyen presents the 20th round of sanctions

 

The president of the Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, has today presented the 20th package of sanctions against the Federación de Rusia After nearly 1.500 days of conflict, this new economic offensive seeks to force peace negotiations by tightening restrictions on [unclear - possibly "exports" or "exports"]. energy, financial services and trade.

 

Energy blockade: Raw and floats in the shadows

 

The flagship measure of this package is the total ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil. This action, coordinated with partners in G7It aims to drastically reduce revenues from hydrocarbon exports. Furthermore, the Unión Europea has expanded its "blacklist" of ships, adding 43 new vessels to the so-called shadow fleet (floats in the shadows), which already reaches 640 units.

 

Likewise, strict barriers are established to prevent the Kremlin cannot acquire new tankers and the maintenance of tankers is prohibited LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and icebreakers, directly impacting the operation of their gas export projects.

 

Financial pressure and control of crypto assets

 

The second pillar of the proposal focuses on the banking system. Comisión Europea has added 20 Russian regional banks to its sanctions list and has focused on the cryptocurrencies, Measures will be taken against companies and exchange platforms that facilitate the evasion of sanctions through digital assets.

 

First, the Unión Europea will activate the Anti-evasion tool, prohibiting the export of computer numerical control (CNC) machinery and radios to third-country jurisdictions where there is a high risk of re-export to the Russian market.

 

In the commercial sphere, the new restrictions affect:

 

• Exports of rubber, tractors and cybersecurity services (valued at more than 360 million euros).
• Imports of critical metals, chemicals, and minerals (valued at more than 570 million euros).
• Restrictions on battlefield technologies and materials for the production of explosives.
• Establishment of a quota for imports of ammonia.

 

Economic impact and legal protection

 

According to the data provided by Ursula von der Leyen, the tax revenues of Rusia Revenues from oil and gas fell by 24% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching their lowest level since 2020. With persistent inflation and interest rates at 16%, the Comisión Europea He assures that the measures are having an effect.

 

Indicator / Measure	Impact / Value
New sanctions against regional banks	20 financial entities
Total number of ships in the "shadow fleet"	640 ships
New export bans (services/goods)	360 millones de euros
New import bans (metals/minerals)	570 millones de euros
Decline in oil/gas revenues (2025 vs 2024)	24 %

 

To safeguard the interests of companies in the Unión EuropeaEnhanced legal safeguards have been proposed against violations of intellectual property rights and unfair expropriations linked to abusive court rulings in Russian territory.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the 20th sanctions package

What is the anti-evasion tool and why is it being activated now?

It is a mechanism that allows prohibiting the export of sensitive products (such as CNC machinery) to third countries if it is suspected that they are forwarding them to RusiaIt is activated to close the gaps that the Kremlin It is used to circumvent the trade embargo.

How do these measures affect the Russian energy sector?

Primarily through the veto on maritime services for crude oil and the prohibition of maintenance services for vessels of LNGThis makes it difficult to find buyers and operate long-term gas projects.

What is the current state of the Russian economy according to the EU?

The economy faces a growing fiscal deficit, record low revenues in January for the energy sector, high inflation, and interest rates at 16%, demonstrating the country's financial strain.