The EU adopted on Wednesday its thirteenth package of sanctions against Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine. EU member states unanimously approved the new sanctions. They are expected to enter into legal force next week.

The sanctions aim to further degrade key pillars of Russia’s war-making capabilities by expanding restrictions on Russian exports and imports. The sanctions target key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, with measures such as an export ban on goods and technology suited for use in the oil and gas sectors. The sanctions also impose a ban on new investments in the Russian energy sector, a ban on Russian coal, seaborne oil and petroleum products imports into the EU and a G7+ coordinated price cap on Russian oil transported to third countries.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the sanctions send a clear message that the EU “will keep the pressure high on Putin and diminish Russia’s capabilities.” She said the EU “must degrade Russia’s war machine” through sustained economic restrictions. Von der Leyen vowed the bloc “will keep cutting Russia’s access to advanced technologies, notably through new export controls on drones.”

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola remarked that the latest sanctions package will “further crumble the Kremlin’s arsenal production and fragment its war chest.” She said Russia is “paying for its actions” as the two-year conflict in Ukraine has strengthened European resolve to support Ukraine.

The EU previously imposed 12 packages of sanctions on Russia in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. These packages followed existing measures put in place by the EU after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and non-implementation of the Minsk peace agreements.

The sanctions aim to impose severe economic consequences on Russia and undermine its ability to continue aggression in the region. Targeted restrictive measures have been placed on over 1,900 individuals and entities responsible for supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Broad economic sanctions include restrictions on trade, finance, energy and dual-use technologies. This month’s 13th package furthers restrictions in key areas.