EU Proposes 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia Ahead of Ukraine War Anniversary

• The European Commission proposed a new package of sanctions targeting Russia's energy, banking, and trade sectors.
• The 20th round of sanctions includes a full ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil and targets 43 vessels in Russia's 'shadow fleet'.
• New import bans on Russian metals, chemicals, and critical minerals, plus tighter export controls on military-use goods, are proposed.
• The package lists 20 additional Russian regional banks and several third-country banks facilitating sanctioned trade.
• EU aims to finalize the agreement before February 24, marking four years since Russia's war against Ukraine.