EU plans most far-reaching sanctions package against Russia this autumn

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans to propose the most far-reaching sanctions package against Russia in autumn 2026, aiming to increase sanctioned entities by one-third with 1,600 new listings. While Kallas estimates existing sanctions have cost Russia over €1 trillion, further expansion faces internal hurdles, highlighted by Greece recently securing a liquefied natural gas shipping exemption. Meanwhile, Brussels seeks closer alignment with the US amid concerns over future Western support.

EU autumn sanctions expansion plan

• ▪European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced in August 2026 that she will propose the most far-reaching sanctions listings against Russia since the war began.
• ▪The proposed European Union sanctions listings would increase the total number of sanctioned Russian entities and individuals by one-third.
• ▪The European External Action Service plans to propose adding approximately 1,600 Russian individuals and entities focused on Moscow's military-industrial complex to the sanctions list.
• ▪Any new European Union sanctions listings against Russia must secure the unanimous approval of all 27 EU member states.
• ▪Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has approved 21 packages of sanctions targeting over 3,000 Russian individuals and entities.
• ▪The proposed European External Action Service sanctions designations against Russian entities will include travel bans, transaction bans, and asset freezes.

Russia economic costs estimates

• ▪Under existing European Union sanctions against Russia, more than €28 billion in private Russian assets have been frozen within the EU.
• ▪EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas estimated in August 2026 that European Union sanctions have cost Russia over €1 trillion ($1.16 trillion) by depriving its war machine of funds.

Member state exemption disputes

• ▪The European Union approved its 21st sanctions package against Russia in July 2026, which imposed curbs on Russia's banking sector and cryptocurrency networks.
• ▪Recent attempts to expand European Union sanctions on Russia have faced resistance from some EU member states over national economic interests.

US-EU sanctions coordination prospects

• ▪EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed optimism that the United States and European Union could align closer on sanctions after the US Senate passed a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.
• ▪European Union officials in Brussels have experienced anxiety over the potential erosion of US financial support to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia following Donald Trump's re-election.

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