Russian Diplomats Denounce EU’s 20th Sanctions Package as Illegitimate and Coercive Over Ukraine Invasion

Russian diplomats have denounced the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia, asserting that the measures lack legitimacy without United Nations Security Council approval and constitute unlawful economic coercion.

The criticism came shortly after the EU formally adopted the sanctions package on Thursday, April 23, 2026, marking the twentieth such measure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Russian diplomatic missions to the European Union stated that only sanctions authorized by a decision of the UN Security Council are legitimate under international law, describing all other measures as unilateral coercive actions that contradict the UN Charter.

The diplomats further accused the EU of engaging in economic blackmail by restricting exports to third countries that cooperate with Russia, claiming such actions represent an extraterritorial application of sanctions that infringes on the sovereignty of other nations.

The EU’s 20th sanctions package includes significant measures targeting Russia’s energy sector, such as listing 36 entities across the upstream and downstream oil and gas industries, expanding restrictions on the so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport Russian oil, and applying new safeguards to prevent tanker sales to Russian end-users.

Additional components of the package involve restrictions on financial services — including those related to cryptocurrency — trade limitations, and actions aimed at countering media propaganda originating from Russia.

The package also marks the first activation of the EU’s anti-circumvention tool, designed to close loopholes that allow sanctioned goods or funds to reach Russia through third countries.

According to EU officials, the measures are intended to increase pressure on Russia to enter negotiations on terms acceptable to Ukraine, while protecting European operators from sanctions evasion risks.

The adoption of the package followed the withdrawal of objections by Slovakia and Hungary, which had previously delayed progress. Their shift in position came after the resumption of oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, a key route for Russian crude exports to Central Europe.

The EU had originally aimed to adopt the package by late February 2026 to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the invasion, but final approval was delayed due to the need for unanimous consent among all member states.