EU Targets 80 More Russian Entities as Sanctions' Economic Hit Reaches $1.5 Trillion
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 8
EU Targets 80 More Russian Entities as Sanctions' Economic Hit Reaches $1.5 Trillion
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 8
Summary
Eighty new Russian entities and individuals have been proposed for EU sanctions, with targets including the military-industrial complex, human rights violators and propagandists supporting the war in Ukraine.
Kaja Kallas said existing Western sanctions have already cost Russia an estimated $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion, arguing the bloc must keep tightening pressure rather than open talks with Moscow yet.
A 6.6 billion-euro fund for reimbursing arms sent to Ukraine also moved closer after Hungary signaled it would drop its long-standing opposition; Kallas wants it expanded to joint procurement and broader EU military aid.
The push comes as Russia kept up attacks on Ukraine, with a strike in Zaporizhia killing five people and injuring 14, and as the EU seeks to harden its line while the United States eases some oil-related sanctions.
As a global energy crisis boosts Russian oil revenue, are Western sanctions now obsolete?
How are US-made chips powering Russia's most advanced autonomous drones against Ukraine?
Can Hungary's new leader truly pivot the nation away from Russia and reshape EU policy?
Breaking Down the EU’s 20th Sanctions Package: Russia’s Economic Resilience and the Global Fight Against Circumvention
Overview
On April 23, 2026, the Council of the EU adopted its 20th package of restrictive measures against Russia in response to its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. This move was made possible after Hungary and Slovakia withdrew their vetoes, following the restoration of deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. The new package introduced far-reaching economic and financial sanctions, aiming to further dismantle Russia’s war economy. It significantly expanded the list of designated individuals and entities, and imposed export restrictions on 60 more entities linked to Russia’s defense sector, targeting those contributing to the technological enhancement of Russia’s military capabilities.