EU Implements Fresh Sanctions on Russia Amid Greek Gas Deal
WHO:
DW.com - European Council head Antonio Costa announced the sanctions package.
DW.com - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented on the sanctions.
Politico.eu - Greek shipping group Dynagas, owned by billionaire George Prokopiou, is involved in the gas trade.
Politico.eu - Alexander Kirk, a sanctions campaigner at NGO Urgewald, provided analysis on the sanctions.
WHAT:
DW.com - The new sanctions package adds more than 50 military-industrial entities to the sanctions list, including key actors involved in producing Russia's long-range drones.
Politico.eu - The package blacklists more vessels from the shadow fleet, which Russia has deployed to bypass the cap and conduct hybrid warfare operations, with over 600 of these vessels denied access to EU ports and services.
Euronews.com - The agreement reached by ambassadors is considerably watered down and raises questions about the influence of national economic interests in the campaign to cripple Moscow's ability to finance the invasion of Ukraine.
DW.com - The European Union agreed on a new sanctions package against Russia, marking the 21st round of sanctions.
DW.com - The sanctions package includes a price cap on Russian crude oil exports set at $44 (€39) for the next 12 months.
DW.com - The package targets 218 individuals and entities, including 32 Russian banks, crypto firms, and oil trading platforms.
Politico.eu - The exemption for Greek shipping allows the continuation of contracts with Russian energy company Novatek, dating back to 2015.
Politico.eu - Dynagas handled approximately 35 percent of exports from Novatek’s Yamal LNG project in the first half of 2026.
WHERE:
DW.com - The sanctions are imposed by the European Union, which consists of 27 member states.
Politico.eu - The Greek shipping industry is specifically mentioned in relation to the sanctions.
WHEN:
DW.com - The sanctions package is described as the largest in four years.
Politico.eu - The LNG export exemption will remain in place for one year and renew automatically unless EU capitals agree to end it during a review.
WHY:
Euronews.com - Greece's veto had previously prevented a deal, as the country argued that an outright ban on shipping Russian gas would damage its maritime services industry and employment opportunities.
DW.com - The sanctions are a response to Russia's war in Ukraine.
DW.com - Concerns were raised by some EU member states that certain restrictions could harm the EU economy more than the Russian economy.
HOW:
Euronews.com - The Greek government held its veto firmly in place until the majority of member states agreed to introduce a derogation allowing the transfer of Russian LNG to non-EU clients for contracts concluded before the start of the invasion in February 2022.
DW.com - The agreement was reached after weeks of negotiations and debates among EU member states.
DW.com - The sanctions include entry bans and asset freezes on individuals and companies linked to Russia's war against Ukraine.
(UPDATED July 24, 2026 07:50 UTC)
A new sanctions package has been announced, adding over 50 military-industrial entities to the blacklist, including key players in the production of Russia's long-range drones, while also targeting more vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, which has been used to bypass restrictions and conduct hybrid warfare operations. This agreement, however, has been significantly watered down due to Greece's veto, which previously blocked a complete ban on shipping Russian gas, citing concerns over its maritime services industry and job losses. The Greek government maintained its veto until a majority of member states agreed to allow the transfer of Russian LNG to non-EU clients for contracts made before the invasion began in February 2022.
--
(UPDATED July 24, 2026 01:31 UTC)
The European Union has announced a new sanctions package against Russia, marking the 21st round of sanctions in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This comprehensive package targets 218 individuals and entities, including 32 Russian banks and oil trading platforms, while also imposing a price cap of $44 on Russian crude oil exports for the next year. Notably, the Greek shipping group Dynagas, which has been involved in the gas trade since 2015, is exempt from certain restrictions, allowing it to continue contracts with Russian energy company Novatek.