Story perspectives

EU Expands Russia Sanctions, Visa Ban, €90B Loan; China protests

6/13/2026

Summary

EU Imposes Sanctions

EU proposed a visa ban for Russian soldiers and entry bans on combatants who fought in Ukraine since 2022.
EU ambassadors approved a package blacklisting 9 individuals, 45 entities, plus others for destabilising and human-rights violations.
The EU extended its ban on investments in Crimea for a year and scheduled a €90 billion loan to Ukraine by June.
China criticised the package, calling unilateral sanctions without UN Security Council approval illegal.

Summary

Peskov: Banks Thrive

On June 11 2026, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s biggest banks still earn large profits despite EU sanctions.
He cited President Vladimir Putin’s remark that the economy remains under control despite a 0.3 % Q1 contraction, the first decline since early 2023.
Officials dismissed the new EU sanctions as ineffective, noting they have long operated under similar restrictions.

Summary

Hungary Backs Sanctions

Hungary now backs the EU's 21st sanctions package, making Slovakia the only likely dissenting member.
EU negotiators will focus on enforcement mechanisms and the precise scope of the new measures.
Norway’s Honningsvåg port is criticised for handling Russian LNG carriers despite sanctions.
Urgewald warns Russia’s plan to purchase up to ten ice-class LNG tankers could blunt the sales ban.

Summary

EU Expands Sanctions

EU’s draft list adds crypto platforms in Georgia, Belarus, Nigeria, Panama, United Arab Emirates and Marshall Islands aiding Moscow’s sanctions evasion.
It targets four banks in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and India and five traders in UAE.
It postpones cap cut until January, July 15 deadline, risking cap to rise above $44.10 per barrel.
The Aughinish alumina refinery in County Limerick, employing 500 workers, could face shutdown threats that would raise grid costs.

History

Historical Context

After Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, the EU launched its first broad sanctions, freezing assets and blacklisting major banks while adding 15 individuals and 18 entities on 25 July 2014. Josep Borrell later called the move unprecedented isolation. The new draft widens that blacklist to crypto platforms in Georgia, Belarus, Nigeria and the UAE, mirroring the 2014 approach.

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EU Imposes Sanctions

EU proposed a visa ban for Russian soldiers and entry bans on combatants who fought in Ukraine since 2022.
EU ambassadors approved a package blacklisting 9 individuals, 45 entities, plus others for destabilising and human-rights violations.
The EU extended its ban on investments in Crimea for a year and scheduled a €90 billion loan to Ukraine by June.
China criticised the package, calling unilateral sanctions without UN Security Council approval illegal.

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