EU delays 20th Russia sanctions package amid G7 talks on banning oil tankers

The diplomats in Brussels, who said they are familiar with the negotiations, said the push to include a sweeping maritime-services ban for tankers carrying Russian oil has slowed work on the package.

They said the delay stems from the need to align the initiative at the G7 level.

The diplomats said a coordinated ban involving G7 countries — especially the United States and the United Kingdom — would make the measure more painful for Russia and its economy.

They added that a G7-aligned approach would also address concerns from some EU maritime states whose budgets rely heavily on port revenues.

European Pravda reported that discussions with G7 countries on maritime sanctions continued throughout this week, prompting the delay in announcing the sanctions package, which had been expected as early as on Feb. 4.

The journalists said the package could still be announced on Feb. 6 or on Feb. 9.

In November 2025, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the European Union was working on a 20th sanctions package against Russia.

On Jan. 30, 2026, Bloomberg reported that the EU plans to increase pressure on the Kremlin’s oil revenues under the new package and expand restrictions targeting banks, the shadow fleet and sanctions-evasion schemes.

On Feb. 2, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that the EU is also considering banning imports from Russia of several platinum-group metals and copper.