Our Q&A: EU 18th Russia Sanctions Package

🔒Questions and Answers on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia + download the official EU Q&A, too.

The European Union has just adopted its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, intensifying pressure on Moscow’s war economy. The headline measure: a reduction of the Russian oil price cap to $47.60 per barrel, down from the previous G7-agreed level of $60. This marks a new phase in the EU’s sanctions policy—one defined less by global coordination, and more by unilateral resolve.

Here are the 52 questions you have asked us that we will answer

1. Who has the European Union targeted?

2. How will the listings hit Russia's revenues?

3. How does the European Union go after the military sector?

4. What changes were introduced regarding the oil price cap?

5. How often will the oil price cap be reviewed?

6. Is there a transition period for the new oil price cap?

7. What is the expected impact of this dynamic oil price cap system?

8. What does the transaction ban for Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 entail?

9. How will the import ban on refined products made of Russian crude work?

10. Are there any exemptions to the import ban on refined products from Russian crude?

11. What additional measure is introduced regarding third-country entities that circumvent oil-related provisions?

12. Which vessels are affected and what is the scope of the measures against vessels?

13. What happens to a listed vessel?

14. Why are vessels listed?

15. What outreach is the EU carrying out following the listing of vessels?

16. What is the EU doing within the framework of the International Maritime Organisation regarding substandard shipping?

17. Why were three LNG tankers de-listed?

18. What is the practical impact of expanding the prohibition to provide specialised financial messaging services to certain Russian banks and financial institutions into a full transaction ban?

19. Why is targeting these banks crucial?

20. Are there exemptions to the transaction ban on Russian banks?

21. What has been done in relation to third-country credit and financial operators violating sanctions?

22. Have any Chinese financial operators been sanctioned under the new criteria?

23. What is the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and why has the European Union decided to target it in the 18th package of sanctions?

24. What is the impact of targeting the RDIF?

25. What is the "Catch-all provision" and why was it included in the new measures?

26. Which are the new export restrictions and bans included with the 18th package of sanctions?

27. Why are the provisions on investor-state arbitration (e.g., under bilateral investment treaties (BITs)) needed?

28. What changes were made regarding the arms embargo?

29. Which new measures concern Belarus?

30. What financial measures have been taken against Belarus?

31. What is the objective of EU sanctions against Russia?

32. Are EU sanctions working?

33. What are the economic impacts observed in Russia due to sanctions?

34. How have Russia's oil and gas revenues been affected by sanctions?

35. How do export restrictions impact the Russian economy?

36. How does the EU ensure international coordination on sanctions?

37. Who monitors the enforcement of EU sanctions?

38. What evidence indicates the impact of sanctions on Russia?

39. What efforts are being made to combat circumvention of sanctions?

40. What is the added value of imposing such sanctions?

41. What is the impact of sanctions on EU exports to Russia?

42. Who is responsible for ensuring effective sanctions implementation?

43. How does the European Commission assist with sanctions implementation?

44. What is the overall goal of the 18th package of EU sanctions?

45. What specific types of propaganda and cultural heritage manipulation are being targeted by the new listings?

46. How does the EU intend to ensure the transparency of the oil price cap mechanism?

47. What is the implication of the transaction ban on Nord Stream 1 and 2 for EU operators?

48. How does the EU address concerns about unseaworthy tankers and maritime safety?

49. Beyond financial messaging services, what other actions are being taken against sanctioned Russian banks?

50. What is the significance of the reduction in Russia's oil and gas revenues since the war began?

51. Where can businesses see these changes in law?

52. What are the practical steps to take to ensure compliance with EU sanctions?

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