EU Commission to propose 19th package of Russia sanctions by Friday

The European Commission is expected to present its 19th package of sanctions against Russia by Friday, according to EU diplomats.

The upcoming measures are likely to include banks in two Central Asian countries, extending the bloc’s efforts to restrict financial channels linked to Moscow.

Officials say the EU has gradually expanded its listings, increasingly targeting larger institutions in third countries. This marks a continuation of a shift seen in recent packages, where the focus has gone beyond Russian entities to include international actors considered to play a role in sustaining Russia’s economic activities.

In its previous, 18th package, the European Union sanctioned two Chinese banks along with India’s Nayara refinery at Vadinar. That step was viewed by diplomats as a signal of Brussels’ readiness to widen the scope of its measures.

The diplomats did not provide details of which institutions may be added in the new package, but underlined that discussions among member states remain ongoing.

President Trump had over the weekend said he was prepared to consider tightening sanctions against Russia in a bid to end the war with Ukraine. He also said he would speak to President Putin after meeting with various European leaders in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. 

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