The European Commission will circulate its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting energy infrastructure and financial institutions, according to Politico.
Three senior EU officials confirmed the timing of the measures, which specifically aim to restrict operations linked to the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea and sever Russia’s access to international banking channels.
The sanctions mark Brussels’ latest effort to cripple the Kremlin’s revenue streams, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating:
We are primarily concerned with sanctioning Russian energy and drying up Russia’s sources of finance.
The package arrives strategically ahead of this weekend’s G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, where Ukraine and major economies like India, Brazil, and Mexico will participate.
The measures align with US Senator Lindsey Graham’s push for “bone-crushing” secondary sanctions against buyers of Russian fossil fuels. Graham’s proposed Sanctioning Russia Act would impose 500% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian energy, potentially decoupling the US from allies and trading partners.
While von der Leyen met Graham this week to coordinate strategy, significant divergences remain. The Commission emphasised its “step-by-step roadmap” to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027, contrasting sharply with Graham’s immediate tariff threat.
Brussels also highlighted exemptions for five EU states reliant on Russian nuclear fuel and pipeline gas, including Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.
However, the package faces scrutiny over enforcement mechanisms, particularly concerning Nord Stream infrastructure. Diplomats confirm the measures will target entities servicing the pipelines, though technical loopholes for maintenance contracts remain unresolved.
Meanwhile, the White House has yet to endorse Graham’s bill, with US President Donald Trump describing it as “harsh” but delaying commitment.
