EU proposes entry ban for Russian Ukraine combatants in new sanctions package

European Commission High Representative Kaja Kallas announced the scope of the 18th Russia sanctions package at a Brussels press conference. The package bans Russian soldiers and mercenary fighters suspected of war crimes in Ukraine from entering the Schengen area. Kallas said closing the EU border to suspected war criminals was a practical judicial instrument rather than a mere political signal.

The package also targets 22 additional shadow-fleet tankers and 14 companies operating Russian oil-export shipments, alongside two Belarusian state banks supporting Russia's war effort. Asked about the move, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said EU pressure would not deter Moscow.

Hungarian and Slovak reservations during the approval process have been factored into majority discussions by Commission services. The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) will meet next Wednesday. If formally approved, the package will take effect after publication in the Official Journal; the decision could also have a parallel effect on Ukraine's EU accession process.