The European Commission has laid out the trade and industrial components of its 20th sanctions package against Russia, targeting key sectors of the Russian economy and aiming to curb its access to strategic goods. The measures are still under discussion among EU Member States, with adoption expected by the end of February.
The package proposes new export controls covering a variety of goods and services, from rubbers and tractors to materials used in explosives and specialised cybersecurity services. At the same time, import bans would hit metals, chemicals, critical minerals, and ammonia, cutting off Russia from lucrative European markets.
Commission officials highlighted the scope of the measures, saying: “With the third block of measures, we tighten export restrictions to Russia with new bans on goods and services – from rubber to tractors and cybersecurity services, worth over €360 million. We also introduce new import bans on metals, chemicals and critical minerals, not yet under sanctions, worth over €570 million. And we introduce further export restrictions on items and technologies used for Russia’s battlefield effort, such as materials used to produce explosives. We propose a quota on ammonia to cap existing imports.”
A key part of the package is the Anti-Circumvention Mechanism, which would restrict exports of CNC machines and radios to countries that have been acting as “circumvention hubs.” The aim is to close loopholes that have allowed sanctioned materials and technology to reach Russia indirectly.
Brussels says the measures are carefully designed to protect European businesses from unfair competition while limiting Russia’s ability to exploit EU markets for strategic gains. They also reinforce broader EU efforts to safeguard intellectual property for companies operating in or trading with Russia.
If adopted, these trade and industrial restrictions would mark one of the most far-reaching EU controls on Russian commerce since the start of the war in Ukraine, underscoring Europe’s commitment to economic pressure while protecting its own markets.
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Author: Edward Hardy
