The European Union is preparing one of the largest sanctions packages against Russia since the start of the full-scale war. According to Politico, citing three EU diplomats, the new list of restrictions could include around 1,600 individuals and legal entities. The issue is scheduled for discussion at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on September 1–2 in Ireland, with the package expected to be adopted in mid-October.

Context: Pressure Amid NATO Incidents

The decision to expand the restrictions is being made against the backdrop of a series of incidents in NATO countries — from drone attacks to arson threats. It is this escalation, according to European diplomats, that is pushing Brussels to deploy "all possible sanctions regimes" and not limit itself to the existing tools.

Parameters of the New Package

According to one of Politico's sources, around 1,600 "candidates" are currently under consideration — roughly 800 individuals and 800 legal entities. Another diplomat emphasized that this represents a significant expansion of the already existing restrictions. "The strategy is to use all possible means. We will deploy all possible sanctions regimes," he stated. All three of the publication's sources spoke specifically of a substantial intensification of sanctions pressure.

Frozen Assets and the Role of Belgium

The question of using frozen Russian assets is being discussed separately. According to a diplomat, this is a long-term process that first and foremost requires convincing Belgium, which has long resisted the idea. Thus, even with political agreement on the Brussels side, the practical implementation of this instrument remains dependent on the position of one key state.

Contradictory Data

There is a discrepancy in the figures here that is important to note. The basis of the Politico report is the version of 1,600 candidates in total: 800 individuals plus 800 legal entities. At the same time, Bloomberg previously reported that more than 1,600 companies could be subject to restrictions, i.e., legal entities only, that are helping Russia in its war against Ukraine. The difference in the composition of the list — 1,600 in total or 1,600+ companies — has not been resolved by either source, and the exact structure of the package is yet to be clarified at the meeting in Ireland.

Timeline and Deadlines

Recall that a couple of weeks ago, the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas stated the intention to significantly expand sanctions in the coming months and to put forward the largest package since the start of the war in the autumn. Thus, the September 1–2 meeting in Ireland will become the key point of coordination, while the final vote on the package is expected in mid-October.