EU Imposes 19th Package of Sanctions on Russia, Targeting LNG Imports and Gas Exports

Strategic Insights -

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented the 19th package of sanctions on Russia, targeting imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in an effort to push Moscow to end its "brutal" war in Ukraine. The sanctions aim to cut Russia's revenue from fossil fuels, with von der Leyen stating, "Russia's war economy is sustained by revenues from fossil fuels. We want to cut these revenues. So we are banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets."

Key Takeaways:

  • The 19th package of sanctions includes restrictions on Russian LNG imports, with the goal of cutting Russia's revenue from fossil fuels and pushing Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.
  • The sanctions must be endorsed by all 27 EU member countries before they can enter into force, with von der Leyen urging members to "quickly endorse the move."
  • The existing sanctions have already targeted over 2,500 entities, including banks, ministries, energy companies, and officials, including President Vladimir Putin and several oligarchs.
  • The bloc's existing sanctions are having an effect, with Russia's "overheated war economy coming to its limit" due to persistently high inflation.
  • Russian LNG accounted for around 16% of the EU's total imports last year, with Europe being Russia's largest buyer of LNG.
  • The EU is speeding up the phase-out of Russian LNG, aiming to end all imports by January 1, 2027, 12 months earlier than a previous pledge.
  • The sanctions also target individuals involved in the abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating, "We will not let Russia weaponise childhood itself."
  • The UK has announced sanctions on two Georgian businessmen over their support for Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as two tankers carrying Russian oil.

Statistics:

  • The 19th package of sanctions targets LNG imports, with the goal of cutting Russia's revenue from fossil fuels.
  • The sanctions must be endorsed by all 27 EU member countries before they can enter into force.
  • Over 2,500 entities have been targeted by the existing sanctions, including banks, ministries, energy companies, and officials.
  • Russian LNG accounted for around 16% of the EU's total imports last year.
  • The EU aims to end all imports of Russian LNG by January 1, 2027.
  • Since 2022, Russia has faced global criticism over the deportation of Ukrainian families, many of them with children.
  • The UK has announced sanctions on two Georgian businessmen and two tankers carrying Russian oil.

Sources:

  • "Could EU tariffs against Russia bring a ceasefire for Ukraine?" (Al Jazeera, September 15, 2025)
  • Twitter post by Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen, September 19, 2025)
  • Twitter post by Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas, September 19, 2025)
  • Statement by the UK Foreign Ministry (September 19, 2025)