The E.U. has reportedly agreed to its 21st sanctions package against Russia but has walked back plans to sanction seafood items.
The E.U. first announced a new sanctions package in June, intended to further impact Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At the time of the announcement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the package would include restrictions on a list of seafood goods. She said the bloc planned to target fisheries as “one of the last major unsanctioned sectors” and that sanctions could include a total ban on Russian cod and heavy restrictions on imports of some fish products.
Those plans quickly ran into pushback, as media reports on negotiations in early July began to indicate the E.U. was considering a softer stance on Russian seafood, with Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal reportedly pushing back on sanctions and bans. That pushback on seafood – along with other issues like shipping – resulted in the E.U. missing a self-set 15 July deadline which was set to avoid expiring caps on Russian oil prices.
The E.U. ultimately extended the caps to a new 22 July deadline, and according to von der Leyen, meetings have now resolved issues and set new sanctions on Russia.
“I welcome the agreement on the 21st sanctions package against Russia,” von der Leyen said on social media. “At a time when Ukraine has built military momentum, our sanctions continue to weaken the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort.”
According to von der Leyen, the sanctions include restrictions on 32 more Russian banks, restrictions on crypto firms and oil trading platforms, freezing the oil price cap adjustment for another year, new targets against vessels assisting Russia’s shadow, and a step toward banning Russian combatants from entering the E.U.
“Another decisive step to tighten the pressure on Russia,” European Council President Antonio Costa said. “Our 21st sanctions package targets the sectors with the highest impact: energy, financial services, crypto, and trade. Our support for Ukraine and for a just and sustainable peace remains unwavering.”
