The European Union has finalized its 21st sanctions package against Russia, targeting financial institutions, cryptocurrency platforms, and oil traders.
The agreement was reached only after Athens secured a critical exemption allowing Greek shipping firms to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries.
The exemption resolves a diplomatic standoff that had blocked consensus on the broader package.
Greece had previously threatened to veto the sanctions unless its shipping sector was granted specific relief, citing the strategic importance of its LNG transport capabilities.
The carve-out effectively circumvents the bloc’s broader restrictions for Greek carriers, ensuring continuity in global LNG supply chains while maintaining pressure on other Russian economic sectors.
The new sanctions mark a significant escalation in the EU’s economic warfare against Moscow, expanding restrictions beyond traditional energy and defense sectors into digital finance and banking.