The European Union’s 19th sanction package introduces new restrictions across key sectors

Do you know when the new restrictions start affecting your business? 

On 23 October 2025, the European Union’s 19th sanctions package against Russia entered into force, introducing extensive new restrictions across the energy, financial, crypto, and services sectors. 

What businesses should know: 

• Russian LNG imports – gradually banned: short-term contracts must end within 6 months, long-term by 1 January 2027. 
• Shadow fleet expansion – operations of more than 100 vessels and insurers blocked in EU ports. 
• Third-country banks and intermediaries (for example, in China, the UAE, and Central Asia) added to the sanctions list for evasion attempts. 
• Cryptoassets – transactions involving the state-backed stablecoin A7A5 and related platforms prohibited. 
• Services – AI, HPC, and space technology services restricted for the Russian government entities and certain companies. 

What it means in practice: 

• Sanctions compliance now goes far beyond legal obligations,  it impacts supply chains, financing, and reputation. 
• Businesses should review contracts and partners, especially where third countries are involved, and implement enhanced due diligence and sanctions screening measures. 
• Compliance is no longer a formality, it has become part of business strategy.