---
title: "Strike against the 'shadow': EU agrees on 21st sanctions package targeting Russia's fleet and banks"
description: "EU agrees on 21st sanctions package against Russia: 'shadow fleet', 32 banks, and crypto platforms targeted. Ursula von der Leyen stated the goal is to weaken the Kremlin's war machine. 🇪🇺🚫🇷🇺"
date: 2026-07-23T09:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/eu-21st-sanctions-package-russia-shadow-fleet-banks
tags: [ursula-von-der-leyen, eu-sanctions, russia, shadow-fleet, european-union]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Strike against the 'shadow': EU agrees on 21st sanctions package targeting Russia's fleet and banks

![Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in front of the EU flag — symbolizing the agreement on the 21st sanctions package targeting Russia’s fleet and banks](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/23/es-21-paket-sanktsii-protiv-rossii-ten-evoy-flot-i-banki/es-21-paket-sanktsii-protiv-rossii-ten-evoy-flot-i-banki-1.webp)

The European Union is preparing a new round of economic pressure on Moscow. On July 23, the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives reached a political agreement on the content of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in her microblog, Brussels is moving to the written procedure for the adoption of these measures in the afternoon.

### Targeting the war economy

The head of the European Commission emphasized that the sanctions are designed to undermine the economic foundations of the Russian war machine, especially at a time when Ukraine is intensifying its military operations. According to von der Leyen, the new restrictions aim to deprive the Kremlin of resources to continue its aggression.

### 'Shadow fleet' targeted for the first time

One of the key innovations was the EU's decision to target for the first time the vessels servicing Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet'. This is expected to create serious logistical and financial problems for the transportation of Russian energy carriers, which allow circumventing Western restrictions.

### Banks, oil, and crypto exchanges

The package includes an expansion of the financial sanctions block. Another 32 Russian banks will be added to the list of entities prohibited from transactions with the EU. In addition, crypto companies and platforms involved in trading Russian oil will fall under restrictions.

An important step was the decision to freeze the mechanism for adjusting the price cap on Russian oil for one year. This is done to prevent the Russian war machine from benefiting from market fluctuations and speculation.

### Entry ban for participants in hostilities

The European Commission also announced an important step regarding visa restrictions: the EU will officially ban entry into the bloc for Russian participants in hostilities. This decision is aimed at personalizing responsibility and increasing political pressure.

Earlier reports stated that the process of agreeing on the 21st package faced difficulties due to the position of some member states of the bloc, but ultimately a consensus was reached. Now, it remains to wait for the final approval and the entry into force of the measures.