EU's 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia Not Ready; 250 Individual Sanctions to Be Approved July 13

On Monday, July 13, before the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas announced that the 21st sanctions package against Russia is not yet ready for approval. However, she expressed hope that a separate list of 250 individuals and entities would be agreed upon today. Kallas emphasized that this is the largest number of sanctions targets the EU has ever imposed, and it is a response to Russia's recent attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Last week, EU ambassadors in Brussels failed to reach consensus on the 21st sanctions package, and discussions were postponed to July 13, when they will continue at the level of foreign ministers. As early as July 6, "European Pravda" reported problems in reaching consensus, which could delay the package's adoption. It was also mentioned that the EU price cap on Russian oil might be approved separately on July 13 or 14.

According to unofficial sources, the names of Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill and Lukoil founder Vagit Alekperov were excluded from the draft of the 21st sanctions package. Meanwhile, Austria has renewed its demand to lift sanctions and unfreeze assets of Russian investment company Rasperia, linked to oligarch Oleg Deripaska. This issue was last publicly raised in October 2025 during discussions of the 19th sanctions package.