Publication of the Twenty-First Package of EU Restrictive Measures against Russia

On 23 July 2026, the Council adopted the twenty-first package of EU restrictive measures in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. The package introduces further amendments to the Union’s sanctions framework by expanding both the scope of individual listings and a number of sectoral restrictions under Regulations (EU) No 269/2014 and (EU) No 833/2014.

The measures have been adopted through the following legal instruments:

• Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849 of 23 July 2026 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine;
• Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1848 of 23 July 2026 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine;
• Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1844 of 23 July 2026 amending Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine;
• Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1845 of 23 July 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine; and
• Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1843 of 23 July 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The principal amendments introduced by the new package are outlined below.

INDIVIDUAL RESTRICTIVE MEASURES

New listings

The Council has expanded Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 by designating:

• 48 natural persons; and
• 168 legal persons, entities and bodies

responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The new designations include Russian companies and senior executives, together with individuals and entities established in third countries, including the United Arab Emirates and China.

Upon designation, all funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by the listed persons or entities become subject to an asset freeze. In addition, it is prohibited to make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of those designated persons or entities.

The package also expands Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 by adding 51 entities identified as supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Several of the newly listed entities are established outside Russia and are considered to contribute indirectly to Russia’s military and technological capabilities by facilitating the circumvention of Union restrictive measures or otherwise undermining their objectives, including in relation to microelectronics, computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

As a consequence of their inclusion in Annex IV, those entities become subject to:

• the prohibition on the export of dual-use items and of the goods and technologies listed in Annex VII capable of contributing to Russia’s military and technological enhancement; and
• the prohibition on providing related technical assistance, brokering services and financial assistance.