23.10.202500:25:46UTC+00EU Approves 19th Package of Sanctions on Russia

The European Union has approved a 19th set of sanctions targeting Russia due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This latest package includes a prohibition on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), as announced by Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, on October 22. "We are pleased to confirm that the remaining member state has lifted its reservation on this 19th sanctions package," stated the presidency, according to reports by Reuters. The ban on LNG imports will be phased in over two steps: contracts of a short-term nature will conclude in six months, while those of a longer duration will cease by January 1, 2027. This schedule advances the EU's complete embargo on LNG by a year compared to the European Commission's former timeline for ending reliance on Russian fossil fuels. Additionally, this sanctions package imposes travel limitations on Russian diplomats and includes sanctions against 117 vessels from Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet," primarily comprised of oil tankers, raising the total number of affected ships to 558.