Overview

• The European Commission set January 1, 2027 as the start date to block Russian LNG imports, bringing the ban forward by one year.
• Brussels expanded its blacklist of the so‑called phantom fleet by 118 tankers, raising the total sanctioned vessels to 560.
• New anti‑evasion steps introduce crypto‑related measures, flag foreign banks linked to Russian alternative payment systems, and list 45 companies in Russia and third countries.
• The package widens export controls to additional chemicals, metal components, salts and minerals, and tightens restrictions on entities in Russia, China and India.
• Ursula von der Leyen said the measures respond to intensified Russian attacks and target overseas refiners, traders and petrochemical firms, including in China, with the package now sent to capitals for approval.