EU Officially Announces the 16th Round of Sanctions Against Russia

On February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the European Union officially announced its 16th round of sanctions against Russia. 

The new sanctions from the EU target key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, trade, transportation, infrastructure, and financial services, while also enhancing measures to combat sanctions evasion.

Additionally, the EU has updated and strengthened sanctions on Belarus, Crimea, Sevastopol, and regions such as Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. Sanctions against areas not under Ukrainian government control have been extended for another year, until February 2026.

The main elements of the 16th round of sanctions are outlined as follows for reference:

- The EU has added 74 vessels to the sanctions list, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 153. These ships are part of a shadow fleet or have contributed to Russia's energy revenue.

- New sanctions criteria have been introduced for operators supporting shadow oil tankers.

- Targeted export controls have been imposed on 53 new companies that support the Russian military-industrial complex or are involved in evading sanctions, including 34 companies based outside Russia (e.g., Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Turkey, UAE, Uzbekistan), which are suspected of procuring sensitive items like drones and missiles needed for Russian military actions.

- Additional List: 83 more individuals and entities have been sanctioned, including 48 individuals and 35 entities, who are believed to be responsible for actions that threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. (Note: One Chinese citizen is included.)

- Ban on Direct Imports of Russian Aluminum Products: In addition to the existing ban on processed aluminum products from Russia, the 16th round of sanctions extends the ban to raw aluminum imports from Russia.

  - To ensure a smooth transition for businesses, the EU has introduced a quota system, allowing the import of up to 275,000 tons (equivalent to 80% of the EU's 2024 aluminum imports) over the next 12 months.

- Expansion of Dual-Use Item Export Controls:

  - Dual-use chemical precursors used to produce chloropicrin and other riot-control agents, which can also be used as chemical weapons, are now restricted under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

  - Software related to CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines used to manufacture weapons, as well as video game controllers used for drones on the battlefield.

  - Chromium ores and compounds intended for military use are also included in the export controls.

- Narrowing of Exemptions and Loopholes: Certain limited exemptions for dual-use and advanced technology exports (e.g., for medical purposes) have been further tightened to enhance effective oversight by customs and licensing authorities.

- Expansion of Export Controls on Industrial Goods:  

  Additional export controls are placed on industrial goods with special military applications, including minerals, chemicals, steel, glass materials, fireworks, some plastics, and rubber.

- Strengthened Due Diligence Mechanism for Sensitive Items:  

  EU operators must implement due diligence mechanisms to identify, assess, and mitigate the risk of re-exporting sensitive items to Russia or transshipping them via third countries. The European Commission will assist operators in ensuring compliance, particularly with these specific requirements.

- The EU has imposed a complete ban on the temporary storage of Russian crude oil and petroleum products in EU ports or free trade zones. Previously, this was allowed if the oil adhered to the price cap and was destined for third countries, regardless of the purchase price or final destination.

- The ban on providing goods, technology, and services to complete Russian LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) projects has been expanded to include Russian crude oil projects, such as the Vostok oil project.

- The EU has also expanded the existing software ban to restrict the export, supply, or provision of oil and gas exploration software to Russia.

- Flight Bans: The flight ban has been extended to third-country airlines operating flights within Russia or supplying air cargo to Russian airlines or domestic Russian flights. These airlines will be prohibited from flying to the EU.

- Road Transport Ban: A new ban has been introduced, prohibiting Russian entities from holding more than 25% ownership in EU road transport companies. Any EU operator with 25% or more ownership by Russian individuals or entities will be prohibited from conducting road freight transport within the EU, including transit.

- Comprehensive Ban on Specific Russian Infrastructure: The EU has banned trade involving certain Russian infrastructure, including two Moscow airports (Vnukovo and Zhukovsky), four regional airports, and ports such as Volga Port, Astrakhan Port, and Makhachkala Port in the Caspian Sea, as well as Ust-Luga Port, Primorsk Port in the Baltic Sea, and Novorossiysk Port in the Black Sea. These ports and airports are used for transferring drones, missiles, and related technologies or components to Russia or for circumventing the oil price cap.

- Ban on EU Operators Providing Construction Services in Russia: EU operators are prohibited from offering construction services, including civil engineering, in Russia.

- SWIFT Access Restrictions: 13 financial institutions have been banned from accessing the SWIFT messaging service.

- Transaction Ban on Banks Using Russia's SPFS: Three banks that use Russia's Financial Messaging System (SPFS) to circumvent EU sanctions have been added to the transaction ban list. This marks the EU's first sanctions targeting financial institutions using Russia's SPFS.

- Suspension of Media Licenses: The EU has suspended the licenses of eight Russian media outlets, prohibiting them from broadcasting within the EU. These outlets include EADaily / Eurasia Daily, Fondsk, Lenta, NewsFront, RuBaltic, SouthFront, Strategic Culture Foundation, and Krasnaya Zvezda / Tvzvezda. The EU believes these media outlets play a significant role in promoting and supporting the Russia-Ukraine war and destabilizing neighboring countries, the EU, and its member states.

- Freedom of Activity for Media: According to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, these measures do not prevent the media or their staff from engaging in non-broadcast activities within the EU, such as research and interviews.

This announcement reflects the EU's continued commitment to sanctioning Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine and its broader geopolitical activities.