EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia: ambassadors meet in Brussels on July 22, 2026

Herz — World Desk · 22 July 2026 at 08:44 · 30s summary · 3 min read

What we know

EU member state ambassadors met in Brussels on July 22, 2026, to attempt to finalize the 21st sanctions package against Russia. According to The Guardian, previous attempts had failed amid persistent dissatisfaction among certain member states.

The same night, Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv. Residents sought shelter in underground parking garages to protect themselves from the strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised a Ukrainian nighttime attack targeting logistics hubs that supplied the Russian military with drone components, navigation equipment, and other materiel.

Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had presented all possible peace proposals to Moscow. He believes Russia must now be "forced" to turn toward diplomacy.

Bring the war back to Russia

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, July 22, 2026

Context

The Russo-Ukrainian war began in February 2014 and intensified on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine from its territory, Belarus, and areas occupied since 2014.

Since 2022, the European Union has adopted twenty successive sanctions packages against Russia, targeting economic sectors, individuals, and entities linked to the Russian war effort. Each package required difficult negotiations among member states.

Timeline

1. February 2014
   Beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war: Russia annexes Crimea and conflict breaks out in the Donbas.
2. February 24, 2022
   Russia launches a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU adopts its first sanctions packages. Ukrainian cultural figures, including the founder of Platform TU from Mariupol, are forced into exile.
3. February–May 2022
   Siege of Mariupol: the city is surrounded and bombarded. The last Ukrainian soldiers surrender in May 2022 at the Azovstal metallurgical plant.