European Union sanctions, first introduced in 2014, remain one of the key tools for supporting Ukraine and exerting pressure on Russia. In Brussels, officials believe that Russia’s war economy is gradually approaching a dangerous threshold.
Source: Censor.NET
This was stated by EU Special Representative for Sanctions David O’Sullivan in an interview with The Guardian. According to him, Russia’s exclusive focus of resources on the military sector could lead to economic instability as early as 2026.
O’Sullivan emphasized that the EU approaches the assessment of sanctions compliance by other countries cautiously, noting that states outside the EU are not formally obliged to follow European restrictions.
At the same time, the EU is actively working with partners to prevent the resale of European goods to Russia, particularly dual-use components that can be used in weapons production.
A special focus of the sanctions policy is combating Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” According to O’Sullivan, the EU has already taken effective measures against Russian ships transporting oil to China and India. As of December, nearly 600 vessels were under EU sanctions.
In early February 2026, the EU is preparing its 20th sanctions package against Russia, planned for adoption by the anniversary of the full-scale invasion on February 24. The new restrictions will include a ban on the import of key metals, further reduction of Russia’s energy revenues, increased pressure on the “shadow fleet,” and measures to prevent sanctions evasion.
Brussels notes that the restrictions are already having a tangible impact on Russia’s economy, despite Kremlin attempts to adapt. Against the backdrop of the firm stance of the EU and the U.S. under President Donald Trump, sanctions pressure on Russia remains one of the main factors deterring Russian aggression.
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