https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202501494
The Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 on 31 July 2014, which implements measures from Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP prohibiting the sale and transfer of arms and related materials to Russia. On 18 July 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2025/1495 amended the original decision by adding 26 new entities supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex, including those in third countries facilitating circumvention of export restrictions, particularly concerning unmanned aerial vehicles. The Decision also expanded the list of items restricted, such as computer numerical control machines and chemicals used in military production.
To prevent circumvention via indirect exports through third countries, Member States are given an optional mechanism to require prior authorisation for exports of certain dual-use items suspected to be ultimately diverted to Russia, ensuring a harmonised approach without imposing blanket restrictions. Further restrictions were imposed on goods contributing to Russia’s industrial capacities, with tighter transit prohibitions through Russian territory.
Following previous measures aimed at reducing dependency on Russian crude oil imports, the temporary derogation for Czechia’s pipeline supply was ended. Additionally, a ban was introduced on importing petroleum products derived from Russian crude via third countries, with guidelines for proving compliance. Provisions were made to prohibit imports of Russian LNG through certain Union terminals, with limited derogations for Member States not connected to the interconnected gas system.
The transaction ban in Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 was broadened to include actions by Union subsidiaries acting on behalf of listed Russian parent companies, with the possibility of imposing public trusteeships or firewall measures to ensure compliance. Amendments addressed the use of Russia’s financial messaging system SPFS to circumvent sanctions, extending transaction bans accordingly.
Certain exemptions were introduced for Kazakh coal ports and airports related to civil nuclear capabilities. Measures were also taken to prevent the use or resumption of supplies via the Nord Stream pipelines, including prohibiting transactions connected to these pipelines and covering the purchase of gas transported through them.
The transaction ban was expanded to include third-country financial institutions and crypto asset providers undermining the sanctions, adding specific entities to the banned list and clarifying exemptions for diplomatic and business wind-down activities. A dynamic price cap mechanism on Russian crude oil exports was introduced to adjust the cap based on market prices, with transition periods for existing contracts and regular reporting to the Council.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) was targeted with a transaction ban due to its role in channeling funds to support Russia’s war efforts, including banning investment services to the RDIF and its significant investments. Measures were adopted to restrict vessels linked to Russia’s shadow oil tanker fleet from entering EU ports or receiving services.
Restrictions on software used in the Russian banking and financial sector were imposed to hinder its development. Member States were instructed not to recognise or enforce foreign court or arbitral rulings that seek to challenge or circumvent the EU’s restrictive measures, and provisions were made to recover damages caused by abusive dispute settlement proceedings.
The scope of objections available to Member States was expanded to cover enforcement of arbitral awards contrary to public policy under the 1958 Convention. The forum necessitatis principle, allowing courts to hear cases where no other competent jurisdiction exists, was extended to certain provisions. Finally, with respect to the Paks II nuclear project, prohibitions in the regulation were clarified to allow certain activities under specific conditions, ensuring the transaction bans related to listed entities remain applicable.
The regulation was amended accordingly to implement these updates.