EU proposes visa ban on Russian soldiers as part of new sanctions package against Moscow

The European Commission has proposed its 21st sanctions package against Russia, featuring a visa ban on any Russian soldier who has served since the 2022 Ukraine invasion. The package, which requires unanimous EU approval, also aims to extend the $44 Russian oil price cap until 2027, blacklist 30 more "shadow fleet" vessels, and sanction firms helping Moscow evade restrictions. The proposal comes as EU visas for Russians are rising.

Russian soldier visa ban

• ▪An EU official stated the proposed visa ban for soldiers should be seen as a first step, with more measures potentially following.
• ▪The European Commission proposed a visa ban for anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• ▪Estonia, along with other Nordic and Baltic countries, had proposed the ban on Russian ex-combatants earlier in 2026, citing security concerns.
• ▪The proposed visa ban on Russian combatants is part of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia.

EU sanctions on Russia

• ▪France, Italy, and Spain issued approximately three-quarters of the total EU visas granted to Russian citizens in 2025.
• ▪The new sanctions proposals must be agreed upon unanimously by all 27 EU member states to be adopted.
• ▪The number of visas granted to Russian citizens by EU countries increased from 462,000 in 2023 to 632,000 in 2025.
• ▪The EU also plans to ban Russian fish imports, including cod, and restrict trade in metals, ores, and car parts worth €60m.
• ▪The package proposes sanctions on 20 banks, crypto firms, and oil traders in third countries believed to be helping Russia evade sanctions.

Shadow fleet restrictions

• ▪The EU's blacklist of vessels under restrictions already contains 632 entries.
• ▪The EU proposes adding 30 "shadow fleet" vessels, which help Russia evade sanctions, to its blacklist.

Oil price cap extension

• ▪The European Commission proposed maintaining the price cap on Russian oil at $44 until January 2027.
• ▪The oil price cap is intended to prevent Russia from benefiting from rising crude prices, such as those from a closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ukraine EU accession negotiations

• ▪The EU is expected to open the first set of negotiating chapters for EU accession with Ukraine and Moldova in mid-June 2026.
• ▪The initial accession negotiation chapters for Ukraine and Moldova will focus on the rule of law and democratic standards.

Irish alumina supply chain

• ▪EU alumina exports were not included in the latest sanctions package.
• ▪EU officials claim there are no alternative sources of bauxite or alumina that are not controlled by Russian or Chinese firms.
• ▪An investigation found that alumina from the Russian-owned Aughinish plant in Ireland is part of a supply chain for Russian arms manufacturers.
• ▪The Aughinish plant in County Limerick employs 900 people and supplies about 30% of the EU's alumina.

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