Brussels, February 6, 2026 — The Europe Today: The European Commission has proposed a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, expanding restrictive measures across key sectors including oil and gas, maritime transport, banking, cryptocurrency, and metals, in a renewed effort to intensify pressure on Moscow’s wartime economy.
According to media reports, the proposed measures are designed to curb revenues that sustain Russia’s high-intensity war effort and to compel meaningful engagement at the negotiating table. Speaking on Friday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that while Ukraine continues to defend itself with resilience, the Kremlin has escalated attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure.
“We must be clear-eyed: Russia will only come to the table with genuine intent if it is pressured to do so. This is the only language Russia understands,” von der Leyen stated.
A central component of the proposed package is a comprehensive ban on maritime services linked to Russian crude oil, aimed at further weakening energy revenues. The measure would prohibit EU companies from providing services such as insurance, shipping, and port access to vessels transporting Russian oil. Von der Leyen noted that the move should be implemented in coordination with like-minded partners following a decision at the G7 level.
The blanket maritime services ban, previously advocated by Finland and Sweden, also targets Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which has been used to bypass existing restrictions.
If adopted, the new sanctions would mark one of the EU’s most comprehensive efforts yet to constrain Russia’s economic capacity to sustain the war, while signaling continued resolve among Western allies to tighten enforcement and close loopholes in the sanctions regime.
