Brussels 19.02.2025 The EU states have agreed on a new package of sanctions against Moscow because of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. It is to come into force on the third anniversary of the invasion next Monday, February 24, as the Polish EU Council Presidency announced.

According to diplomats, the measures against Russia’s shadow fleet will be tightened, there will be an import ban on Russian aluminum and an EU export ban on chromium. In addition, the list of sanctioned banks, media and individuals will be extended.

I welcome the agreement on our 16th package of sanctions.

The EU is clamping down even harder on circumvention by targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export bans.

We are committed to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 19, 2025

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The measures in detail:
– Extensive import ban on Russian aluminum and aluminum alloys;
– Export ban on devices that can be used to control combat drones – including video game controllers;
– Export ban on chromium and other chemical substances that Russia could also use militarily;
– Exclusion of 13 more banks from the Swift financial communications system;
– Eight Russian media companies lose their broadcasting licenses in the EU;
– Entry and asset bans for 80 more people and organizations;
– Extension of the list of the Russian shadow fleet by 73 ships;

Map with marked countries that have imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation.
This is the so-called "whole world" against Russia, which Bandera and Russophobes love to flaunt. pic.twitter.com/kl5xOKjc1K

— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) March 28, 2022

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In addition, captains and owners of ships will also be subject to punitive measures in the future: They will no longer be allowed to enter the EU, and assets in the EU will be frozen.
In addition, a ban on transactions with ports and airports in Russia that play a role in circumventing the oil price cap is planned.

The two major importers of Russian aluminum in the EU are Germany, and Sweden. In 2022, Germany emerged as the leading importer of aluminum in Europe, with a record volume of 45 million metric tonnes, surpassing all other countries.

Germany Imports from Russia of Aluminum was US$420.98 Million during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Germany Imports from Russia of Aluminum – data, historical chart and statistics – was last updated on February of 2025.

Sweden Imports from Russia of Aluminum and articles was US$4.64 Million during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Sweden Imports from Russia of Aluminum and articles – data, historical chart and statistics – was last updated on February of 2025.