European Union – National Security and International Trade Update

European Union Adopts 18th Package of Sanctions Against Russia–Key Highlights

Aug 06 2025

By: Michael Ruck, Rosie Naylor, Petr Bartoš, and Laura Scott

On 18 July 2025, the European Union adopted its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia in response to its continued aggression in Ukraine (the Package). This wide-ranging set of measures builds on previous rounds of sanctions and aims to increase pressure on Russia by targeting its energy revenue, banking sector, military capabilities, and circumvention tactics. The Package also includes symbolic steps to hold Russia accountable for crimes against Ukrainian children and cultural heritage.

EU Sanctions—Article 8a “Best Efforts” Explained

Feb 04 2025

By: Michael E. Ruck and Petr Bartoš

On 24 June 2024, the European Union (EU) implemented its 14th package of sanctions against Russia to combat its continued aggression against Ukraine. A notable addition was made to Article 8a of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, which introduced the requirement that EU operators “undertake their best efforts to ensure that any legal person, entity or body established outside the Union that they own or control does not participate in activities that undermine the restrictive measures provided for in [the] Regulation.” A similar clause has also been included in the Belarus sanctions framework.

Category:European Union