The European Commission is set to announce a new sanctions package against Russia on June 9, according to an EU official familiar with the preparations. This announcement follows a briefing where EU representatives indicated that the package would be revealed within the week.
European Commission’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has previously stated that the upcoming sanctions will target Russia’s military-industrial complex and its shadow fleet. Reports suggest that the measures may include freezing the price cap on Russian oil and sanctioning major oil companies such as Lukoil and Rosneft.
During a meeting of EU defense ministers in Nicosia, Cyprus, on June 8, the topic of sanctions and efforts to combat circumvention of oil restrictions was actively discussed. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized France’s commitment to addressing the issue of the shadow fleet, noting that the country recently detained its fourth such vessel.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken called for increased pressure on small island nations, which often serve as flags of convenience for Russian tankers seeking to bypass sanctions. He remarked, “We need to address and discuss the issue of small island states like Cape Verde and others, such as Aruba, which have disproportionately large fleets.” He highlighted that these nations contribute to Russia’s ability to export oil despite existing restrictions.
Once the sanctions package is presented by the European Commission, it will require unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states in the European Council.
The previous sanctions package, the 20th, was introduced by the European Commission on February 6, 2026, and was officially approved by the EU Council on April 23, 2026, nearly two and a half months later.
The European Commission plans to unveil a new sanctions package against Russia this week, focusing on the military-industrial sector and oil companies. EU defense ministers are actively discussing measures to combat circumvention of existing sanctions.