The EU Adopts Broad New Sanctions Against Russia, Including 17th and 18th Packages, and Belarus Sanctions Alignment Package

The European Council ended a highly active semester on the economic sanctions front with the adoption of its 17th and 18th economic sanctions packages (Russia Sanctions Packages or Sanctions Packages) against Russia for its continued war of aggression against Ukraine, adopted on May 20 and July 18, respectively (I). On July 18, the council also agreed on an additional alignment sanctions package against Belarus for its involvement in Russia’s war (Belarus Sanctions Alignment Package) (II). Amendments to the Russian hybrid threats sanctions program (Hybrid Threats Program) were also introduced on May 20 (III). Additional designations targeting Russian parties were also made pursuant to other EU sanctions programs (IV), and the European Commission (EC) also updated its FAQ to the Ukraine-related sanctions programs (V).