Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures (sanctions) against Russia targeting specific economic sectors in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine. The restrictive measures were expanded following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 with the aim of weakening Russia’s economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war. The first packages adopted by the EU included measures such as banning the export of dual-use and defence-related goods, blocking public financing for trade or investment with Russia, restricting oil refining-related exports, imposing aviation sector restrictions, and prohibiting various financial interactions and transactions with Russia. Additionally, they involved banning Russia from the SWIFT system, prohibiting the transmission and distribution of certain Russian State-owned information outlets, and limiting the export of maritime navigation goods and radio communication technology. In March and April 2022 further measures were introduced, including a full prohibition on transactions with certain Russian State-owned enterprises and four key Russian banks, a ban on imports of iron and steel products, export of luxury goods, a coal ban, a port access ban and a ban on any Russian and Belarusian road transport of sanctioned goods. In June and July 2022, in response to Russia’s ongoing military efforts, the Council imposed oil import restrictions, oil transport services restrictions, including transport to third countries, additional financial and business services and export measures, a broadcasting suspension, and a ban on the import of Russian gold. In order to curb Russia’s revenues to finance its war of aggression and to deprive its military and industrial complex of key components, the Council continued to expand the measures in 2022, including with new export and import restrictions and additional bans for Russian banks and media outlets. On 3 December 2022, the Council set an oil price cap for crude oil, petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals from Russia. Following this, on 4 February 2023, the Council set two price caps for petroleum products from Russia. During 2023 the Council imposed further trade, transport and energy measures, such as additional export restrictions on sensitive dual-use goods and advanced technologies and measures to facilitate divestment from Russia by EU operators. The Council also adopted several measures to tackle the circumvention of sanctions. On 18 December 2023, the Council imposed a new import ban on Russian diamonds and on raw materials for steel production, processed aluminium products and other metal goods. Moreover, it introduced stricter energy measures and stronger anti-circumvention measures, including an obligation for operators to contractually prohibit the re-export of certain sensitive goods to Russia. The package of measures adopted on 23 February 2024 enhanced the EU’s actions to stop Russia from acquiring Western sensitive technologies for Russian military. Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid. The latest package was adopted on October 23, 2025, and introduced new restrictions in the areas of trade, finance, energy, and other sectors.

As part of the EU’s response to the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia as well as the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Russia, on 27 May 2024, the Council of the EU adopted a new framework for restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia. This follows the untimely death of the opposition politician Alexei Navalny in February 2024 and the European Council conclusions of 22 March 2024, which called for an end to the persecution of the political opposition and for the establishment of a dedicated sanctions regime. The new framework allows to sanction those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses, repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia. It also allows to target those who provide financial, technical, or material support for, or are otherwise involved in or associated with people and entities committing human rights violations in Russia. The measures consist of an asset freeze and a prohibition to make funds available for designated individuals and entities, as well as a travel ban for individuals. Furthermore, the new sanctions regime introduces trade restrictions on exporting equipment, which might be used for internal repression, as well as on equipment, technology or software intended primarily for use in information security and the monitoring or interception of telecommunication. Together with the establishment of the framework, the Council also adopted on 27 May 2024 the first designations under the sanctions regime.

In several of its Conclusions in 2022 and 2023 the Council strongly condemned Russian hybrid attacks threatening democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Union, its Member States and its partners, in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In view of Russia’s continued hybrid campaign operations on European soil intended to harm, weaken and divide the Member States and its neighbourhood, on 8 October 2024, the Council established a new framework of targeted sanctions against Russia-driven persons and entities engaged in destabilising activities. the new sanctions framework covers activities such as, sabotage, foreign information manipulation, electoral interference, disinformation, malicious cyber activities and the instrumentalization of migrants by third countries. These restrictive measures consist of a travel ban to the EU for designated individuals and an asset freeze applying to both designated individuals and entities. Additionally, EU persons and entities are prohibited from making funds and economic resources available to those listed, either directly or indirectly. Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including for the delivery of humanitarian aid.