Business
The EU adopts its 21st sanctions package against Russia, with an exemption granted to Greece
The ambassadors of the 27 EU member states adopted the 21st sanctions package against Russia on July 23, 2026. To secure unanimous approval, the EU granted an exemption to Greece, allowing it to continue exporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries outside the EU after January 2027, under strict conditions. The package also targets 32 additional Russian banks, cryptocurrency companies and oil trading platforms, and freezes for one year adjustments to the mechanism designed to cap Russian oil revenues. The Greek exemption will be reviewed after one year.