The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, stated that the European Union is preparing a new sanctions package against Russia, the most extensive since the start of the war. She made the announcement in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, published on August 17, 2026.
According to her, she will present “the most far-reaching sanctions list since the beginning of the war” this autumn. Once adopted, the number of Russian citizens, companies, and organizations subject to EU sanctions could immediately increase by approximately one-third.
“EU sanctions have already cost Russia dearly, depriving the Russian military machine of more than one trillion euros. Pressure must continue to increase until Moscow ends the war,” Kallas emphasized.
She did not disclose specific details of the new package, such as which individuals and organizations would be included in the lists or which sectors would be affected. Currently, the EU sanctions lists against Russia include around 3,000 individuals and entities.
The latest, 21st EU sanctions package was approved in July 2026. It included restrictions on the banking sector, cryptocurrency networks, and a number of other measures. The new package will be the 22nd in a row.
