Eight Countries Align With Expanded EU Russia Sanctions

BRUSSELS, August 18, 2026 — Eight countries have committed to align their national policies with an expanded package of EU restrictions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, financial channels, trade and oil-related activity.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine joined the Council decision adopted July 23. The EU did not specify when each country’s national measures would take effect.

The decision widened existing shadow-fleet rules to cover vessels providing bunkering and other support services and added 41 vessels to a services ban. It also created a notification requirement for LNG tanker sales and enabled further restrictions intended to prevent those vessels from benefiting Russian interests.

Financial measures extended a transaction ban to 33 additional Russian banks, a Kyrgyz bank connected to the System for Transfer of Financial Messages and three other non-Russian banks linked to sanctions circumvention. Four financial entities and 14 crypto-asset service providers were also listed for facilitating Russia’s financial activity connected to the war in Ukraine.

A new anti-circumvention mechanism allows transactions to be prohibited with crypto-service providers or platforms established in specified third countries. The package also barred transactions with designated refineries and added one refinery in Georgia.

Trade restrictions expanded controls on goods used in Russia’s war or contributing to military-system development and production. Fifty-one entities became subject to stricter export restrictions, while further import controls targeted goods generating significant revenue for Russia.

The decision also suspended an amendment to the crude-oil price cap until July 15, 2027, with an interim review scheduled for January 2027. For compliance teams, the countries’ alignment broadens the national implementation footprint of measures affecting vessel, bank, crypto, refinery and trade screening.

EU says eight countries align with expanded Russia sanctions

Regulatory Actions

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Regulatory Actions

Other Action9 subjectsAlbania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine aligned themselves with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849 and will ensure that their national policies conform to it.

Designation2 subjectsCouncil Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849 added 41 more vessels subject to a services ban and extended existing rules to vessels supporting the shadow fleet by providing bunkering and other services.

Rule Change1 subjectThe Decision introduced a notification obligation for the sale of LNG tankers and a possibility to introduce new restrictions on such sales so that the tankers do not benefit Russian interests.

Amendment4 subjectsThe Decision extended the transaction ban to 33 additional Russian banks, a Kyrgyz bank connected with the SPFS, three other non-Russian banks, and five entities significantly frustrating prohibitions on purchasing Russian crude oil and petroleum products.

Designation2 subjectsThe Decision listed four financial entities and 14 entities providing crypto-asset services that facilitate a continued financial lifeline for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Rule Change1 subjectThe Decision introduced a new anti-circumvention mechanism allowing transactions to be prohibited with specified third-country crypto-asset service providers and platforms enabling the exchange or transfer of crypto-assets.

Rule Change2 subjectsThe Decision prohibited transactions with designated refineries in Russia and in third countries used for processing or refining crude oil or processing or blending petroleum products, and one refinery in Georgia was added to the relevant Annex.

Rule Change3 subjectsThe Decision introduced new export and import restrictions and bans, expanded the list of prohibited items, introduced further restrictions on imports of goods generating significant revenues for Russia, and added 51 entities to Annex IV subject to stricter export restrictions.

Amendment1 subjectThe Decision suspended the amendment of the crude oil price cap until 15 July 2027, with an interim review in January 2027.

Rule Change2 subjectsThe Decision allowed EU courts and member states not to recognise or enforce court decisions obtained in legal proceedings lodged in Russian courts.