European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday urged EU member states to adopt new sanctions targeting Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, its shadow fleet of oil tankers, and key energy companies, as part of continued pressure over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
“It is time to turn off the tap on LNG,” von der Leyen said in a video statement outlining the proposals, calling on the 27 member states to “quickly endorse” the measures. “We want Russia to leave the battlefield and come to the negotiation table, and this is the way to give peace a real chance,” she added.
The EU has already passed 18 sanction packages since the war began, affecting more than 2,500 entities, including banks, ministries, energy firms, President Vladimir Putin, lawmakers, and oligarchs. Travel bans and asset freezes have been the most common measures. Von der Leyen insisted the steps are making an impact, citing persistent inflation in Russia and warning that its “overheated war economy is coming to its limit.”
The new proposals include a full prohibition of Russian LNG imports by January 2027, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Europe remains the largest buyer of Russian LNG, taking about half of total exports, which accounted for roughly 16% of EU imports last year. Resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, however, could complicate adoption.
The commission suggested blacklisting 118 more vessels from Russia’s shadow oil fleet, bringing the total to more than 560. Energy majors Rosneft and Gazprom Neft would also face a full transaction ban, with asset freezes extending to other firms if the measures are approved.
The sanctions would also expand export restrictions on dual-use goods and battlefield technologies. Forty-five companies in Russia and other countries identified as supporting the Russian defence sector would be targeted. Von der Leyen noted that refineries, oil traders, petrochemical companies, and third-country buyers, including in China, could also be penalized for dodging restrictions.
Kallas further said the bloc aims to strengthen tools to punish those involved in abducting Ukrainian children. “Tearing children from their families and deporting them to re-education camps is beyond description. We will not let Russia weaponize childhood itself,” she wrote on social media.
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