EU Approves 19th Sanctions Package Banning Russian LNG Imports

The European Union on Wednesday approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the Danish EU presidency. 

The agreement, reached in Brussels after weeks of talks, targets Moscow’s energy sector through a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, while also expanding trade and travel restrictions. 

Slovakia Drops Objection After EU Assurances

According to a Reuters report, Denmark, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said all 27 EU countries have now agreed to the package after Slovakia lifted its final objection. Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, had asked for guarantees from the European Commission about high energy prices and how new climate rules could affect local industries like carmakers and heavy manufacturing. 

After receiving written assurances, Slovakia dropped its objection, and allowed the sanctions to move forward. Officials said a written approval process is already underway, and the package will officially take effect by Thursday morning.

LNG Ban to Start in Two Phases

The LNG ban will roll out in two steps. Short-term contracts will end in six months, while long-term contracts will stop completely on January 1, 2027. This timeline means the EU will stop buying Russian LNG one year earlier than the European Commission first planned. 

“Sanctions have a real impact and are hitting the Russian economy. Moscow is facing increasing difficulties in financing its illegal war of aggression.” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement. Along with the LNG ban, the EU also added 117 ships from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” mostly oil tankers used to bypass oil restrictions. This brings the total number of sanctioned vessels to 558.

The package also lists several banks and companies in Kazakhstan and Belarus and four linked to China’s oil industry, including two refineries, a trading company, and another involved in helping Moscow evade restrictions. Their names will be published after formal adoption, according to EU diplomatic sources cited by Reuters.

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