EU Approves Broad Sanctions Banning Russian LNG Imports, Targeting Energy and Industry

The European Union has approved a new sanctions package against Russia, targeting 45 companies supporting its military and industrial complex, including entities from China and Hong Kong that aid in circumventing export restrictions. Starting April 25, 2026, the EU will ban all liquefied natural gas imports from Russia and prohibit financial and technical services related to these supplies, while extending sanctions to major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Gazpromneft and 118 vessels involved in sanction evasion. Concurrently, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, marking his first sanctions against Russia, aiming to pressure Moscow toward ceasefire negotiations; this move received praise from EU officials and Ukrainian representatives as a demonstration of transatlantic unity. The EU has expressed strong support for Trump's sanctions, highlighting the alignment between the U.S. and Europe in maintaining pressure on Russia. These collective measures include expanded bans on financial operations with Russian banks and entities tied to the Central Bank of Russia's payment systems, including cryptocurrency services. Overall, these sanctions represent a coordinated effort by the U.S. and EU to constrain Russia's energy sector and military-industrial capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.