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Document 32026D1849
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849 of 23 July 2026 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849 of 23 July 2026 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1849 of 23 July 2026 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine
ST/10016/2026/INIT
OJ L, 2026/1849, 23.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1849/oj (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, GA, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)
In force
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Official Journal |
EN L series |
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2026/1849 |
23.7.2026 |
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1849
of 23 July 2026
amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
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(1) |
On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/512/CFSP (1). |
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(2) |
The Union remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. |
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(3) |
In its Resolution ES-11/7, adopted on 24 February 2025, the United Nations General Assembly recalled the need for full implementation of its relevant resolutions adopted in response to the aggression against Ukraine, in particular its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and its demand for an immediate cessation of the hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular of any attacks against civilians and civilian objects. |
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(4) |
As long as the illegal actions by the Russian Federation continue to violate fundamental rules of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations, or of international humanitarian law, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures imposed by the Union and to take additional measures, if necessary. |
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(5) |
In view of the continued and escalating aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular the recent brutal military campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy, water and health facilities, which has caused severe suffering to the civilian population and seeks to undermine Ukraine’s resilience, the Council considers it necessary to adopt further restrictive measures. |
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(6) |
In particular, it is appropriate to amend derogations in order to ensure the continued provision of goods and services required to uphold internet infrastructure in Russia for the general public. |
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(7) |
It is justified to add 51 entities to Annex IV to Decision 2014/512/CFSP. Those entities form part of Russia’s military and industrial complex, or have commercial or other links with or otherwise support Russia’s military and industrial complex or its defence and security sector. Tighter export restrictions regarding1 dual-use goods and technology, as well as regarding goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector, are imposed on those entities. It is appropriate to add to that Annex entities in third countries other than Russia that indirectly contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement thereby enabling the circumvention of Union restrictive measures or frustrating their purpose, including Union restrictive measures on microelectronics, computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools and equipment for semiconductor processing. |
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(8) |
It is appropriate to expand the list of items which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or to the development of its defence and security sector, by listing items which have been used by Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine and items which contribute to the development or production of its military systems, including: nickel powders, nickel metal and alloys of nickel used in corrosion-resistant coatings in jet engines; beryllium powders used in propellants and in high performance alloys; self-adhesive films, tapes and strips used in the aerospace and defence sectors; aviation items specific to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as ground support equipment; jamming/interception systems, launch systems and servomotors; and flight termination systems for UAVs or missiles. |
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(9) |
It is also appropriate to introduce further restrictions on imports of goods which generate significant revenues for Russia, thereby enabling the continuation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including restrictions on copper ores, nickel ores, lead ores, precious-metals ores, unwrought zinc, alkaline-earth metals, certain inorganic chemicals (zinc oxides and chromium oxides), tall oil, glassware and car parts. |
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(10) |
It is appropriate to introduce two derogations to enable national competent authorities to dispose safely of Russian oil cargos they seize and confiscate. To that end, two derogations are introduced to enable relevant operations, such as import, transfer, storage, management and sale. |
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(11) |
It is appropriate to introduce a possibility for the competent authorities to authorise, pursuant to strict conditions, importers to not provide evidence of the country of origin of the crude oil as regards the supply of petroleum products obtained in a third country to the outermost regions and overseas countries and territories associated with the Union, without requiring proof of origin, given the specific geographic characteristics of those territories and their supply constraints. |
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(12) |
It is appropriate to extend the duration of an exemption from the oil price cap which allows, in view of energy security concerns, the transport, by vessel, of crude oil originating in the Sakhalin-2 Project in Russia to Japan. |
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(13) |
It is justified to introduce a suspension of the amendment of the crude oil price cap. Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1495 (2) provided for a procedure to modify the price cap for Russian crude oil depending on the average market price of Russian crude oil. As indicated in that Decision, that procedure is intended to ensure that the crude oil price cap is sufficiently low at all times to reduce Russia’s revenues from oil exports, taking into account previous price fluctuations. Given the recent exceptional disturbances in the markets for crude oil and petroleum products, and to ensure that the crude oil price cap remains effective in achieving its objectives, it is appropriate to suspend the amendment of that price cap. At the same time, it is appropriate to provide for an interim review of that suspension to ensure that the mechanism remains necessary and proportionate taking into consideration market developments. It should be possible for the Council to decide to amend the price cap after that interim review. In the absence of a decision by the Council, the applicable price cap will remain in place. From 15 July 2027, the application of the original procedure to amend the price cap will resume, with the publication on that date of a notice by the Commission with the new price cap and the amendment of Annex XXVIII to Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 (3) in accordance with Article 4p(12) of Decision 2014/512/CFSP and with Article 3n(11) and Article 7a of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014. |
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(14) |
It is appropriate to introduce an exemption from the prohibition to transfer and to provide technical assistance, brokering services or financing or financial assistance, related to the transfer to third countries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) which originates in or is exported from Russia. That exemption aims to mitigate adverse consequences for the energy supply of certain partner countries. |
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(15) |
Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2032 (4) amended Decision 2014/512/CFSP in order to introduce a prohibition on the purchase, import or transfer, directly or indirectly, of liquefied natural gas (LNG) originating in or exported from Russia. That prohibition applies to purchases and transfers into the Union and to third countries. |
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(16) |
It is appropriate to introduce a temporary exemption with regard to the transfer or purchase related to that transfer of LNG originating in or exported from Russia, where such transfer or purchase related to that transfer is destined for third countries. In order to ensure that the temporary exemption does not undermine the objectives of the Union’s restrictive measures, that provision should explicitly lay down a rule that the overall capacity of Russian LNG transferred by Union operators to third countries under the temporary exemption does not exceed the yearly volume of LNG originating in or exported from Russia in 2025, thereby avoiding any increase in the export revenues Russia derives from such transfers. In order to ensure that the temporary exemption continues to serve the objectives of the Union’s restrictive measures, taking into account developments affecting Union operators, the Commission should periodically assess the measures and submit its assessment to the Council. On the basis of that assessment, the Council should review the functioning of the temporary exemption and, where appropriate, be able to decide to shorten, extend or terminate it. |
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(17) |
To ensure legal certainty and the orderly phasing out of activities covered by Decision 2014/512/CFSP, it is appropriate to clarify that the temporary exemption concerning purchases and transfers of LNG destined for third countries should apply only where a purchase is related to a transfer executed by a Union operator. Such transfer should be carried out on the basis of a long-term contract for the supply of LNG, excluding natural gas derivatives, the duration of which exceeds one year, which was concluded before 24 February 2022 and which has not been amended after that date other than for the limited purposes permitted under Decision 2014/512/CFSP. In addition, the purchase related to that transfer should itself be executed under a long-term contract exceeding one year, concluded before 24 February 2022 and not amended after that date other than for those same limited purposes. Such long-term contract generally must contain all the necessary elements for its validity and the execution of a transaction, such as indication of the parties, price, quantities, delivery dates, point of loading or delivery, modalities of execution. Contracts that regarding such elements require a further agreement between contracting parties do not fall under the temporary exemption, with the exception of amendments regarding the limited purposes expressly permitted under this Decision, for example concerning operational procedures such as annual delivery programs or any other similar routine operational adjustments. Changes to such elements based on unilateral contractual clauses that cannot be opposed by the other contracting party do not preclude the applicability of the temporary exemption. All other purchases not linked to a specific transfer by a Union operator should be prohibited from 1 January 2027. Since, from that date, such purchases can no longer be lawfully made unless they remain connected to transfers by Union operators falling within the conditions of the temporary exemption, it is clear that the resulting impossibility of performance can be invoked as force majeure for the purpose of terminating existing contractual obligations to the extent that those obligations cannot continue to be performed in relation to transfers executed by Union operators. |
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(18) |
As regards the prohibition on providing LNG terminal services, it is also appropriate to further refine the scope of application of that prohibition. |
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(19) |
The Union has already adopted vessel-specific designations in order to curb operations of the relevant vessels. Such operations might rely on the provision by third-country vessels of services such as bunkering, tug services and ship-to-ship transfers. In order to address and discourage the provision of such services, it is appropriate to enlarge the scope of the designation criteria to encompass the vessels providing such services. It is also appropriate to introduce additional designations of vessels. |
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(20) |
Russia derives significant revenues from the sale of oil. It is appropriate to introduce a prohibition on any transaction with refineries in Russia and in third countries other than Russia used for the processing or refining of crude oil or the processing or blending of petroleum products, as listed in Annex XIII to Decision 2014/512/CFSP, or of mineral products, that originate in Russia or refineries used for the circumvention of restrictive measures. Such transactions include access to facilities of the listed refineries and the provision of any services. It is appropriate to identify one refinery under those listing criteria and to add it to the relevant Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2014/512. |
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(21) |
It is appropriate to clarify the scope of the derogation as regards transactions in connection with the natural gas pipelines Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2, with regard to the completion, operation, maintenance or use of those pipelines. |
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(22) |
The Union has already adopted measures to restrict Russia’s LNG exports-related revenues. Such exports rely on the availability of LNG tankers and it is therefore important to curtail the possibility for Russia to gather and use LNG tankers. To that end, it is appropriate to introduce a notification obligation for the sale of LNG tankers and a possibility to introduce new restrictions on the sale of LNG tankers so that those tankers do not benefit Russian interests. |
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(23) |
The Union has repeatedly taken measures to identify financial institutions, credit institutions or entities providing crypto-asset services or payment services that facilitate a continued financial lifeline for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, whether by connecting to the system for transfer of financial messages of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation or by enabling the circumvention of Union restrictive measures, and to prohibit any transaction between those institutions or entities and Union operators. Evidence shows that entities in third countries continue to enable Russia to carry out illicit activities. It is therefore appropriate to list 4 financial entities and 14 entities providing crypto-asset services in the relevant Annexes to Decision 2014/512/CFSP, with a view to prohibiting transactions between them and persons located in the Union. In addition, it is appropriate to remove one entity from Annex XVIII to Decision 2014/512/CFSP. It is also appropriate to add five entities to the list of third-country legal persons, entities or bodies significantly frustrating the purpose of the prohibitions set out in Articles 4o, 4p and 4x of Decision 2014/512/CFSP. |
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(24) |
It is justified to extend the prohibition for Russian nationals or natural persons residing in Russia to own or control, or to hold any posts in the governing bodies of, certain legal persons, entities or bodies which are incorporated or constituted under the law of a Member State, so that the prohibition applies to any entity which is providing crypto-asset services, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5). |
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(25) |
In order to maintain access to crypto-asset service providers and platforms after Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/508 (6) and Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506 (7) prohibited engaging with any such providers and platforms established in Russia, banks and other persons in Russia, including listed banks, are making use of platforms that are established in third countries other than Russia. A number of those crypto-asset platforms have been listed under Decision 2014/512/CFSP and Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 for significantly frustrating those acts or for significantly frustrating Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP (8) and Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (9). |
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(26) |
In order to address such circumvention of the Union’s restrictive measures through third-country jurisdictions, it is appropriate to introduce the possibility to prohibit all transactions with legal persons, entities or bodies that are entities providing crypto-asset services or are platforms enabling the exchange or transfer of crypto-assets and that are established in the third countries specified in the relevant Annex to Decision 2014/512/CFSP. |
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(27) |
In view of the gravity of the situation, it is justified to add 33 credit or financial institutions to the list of legal persons, entities or bodies subject to a transaction ban. The transaction ban applies to certain Russian credit or financial institutions or other entities, including those subscribing to financial messaging services, or to Russian subsidiaries of third-country credit or financial institutions, which are relevant for the Russian financial and banking system, notably because they are either large or important regional banks, which consequently facilitate regional and federal finances and business, or banks which facilitate cross-border payments, or which are relevant for the Russian aggression against Ukraine, notably because they are banks which undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine by operating in the occupied territories of Ukraine, or by providing financial services over the occupied territories of Ukraine, or banks which offer financial services to military personnel in the Russian armed forces, or banks which are already the subject of restrictive measures imposed by the Union or by partner countries. |
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(28) |
It is appropriate to introduce a derogation to allow competent authorities to authorise nationals of Member States or of countries of the European Economic Area or Switzerland to withdraw funds they hold at certain credit and financial institutions and entities providing crypto-asset services or payment services which are subject to a prohibition on engaging in any transactions, in order to terminate their operations, contracts or other agreements with the relevant institution or entity. Examples of such termination include where the natural person closes his or her accounts or withdraws all the funds he or she holds at the relevant entity and does not further establish or maintain any contractual relations with the relevant entity. In order to mitigate the risk of circumvention, funds should be transferred to credit or financial institutions incorporated under the law of a Member State or owned or controlled by credit or financial institutions incorporated under the law of a Member State. That exception is without prejudice to the prohibition on operators in the Union providing financial messaging services to the entities listed in Annexes VIII, XVIII and XIX to Decision 2014/512/CFSP. Therefore, that exception is not to be interpreted as enabling the competent authority to authorise the provision of such services. |
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(29) |
It is also appropriate to introduce a narrowly circumscribed derogation to allow the execution of transactions with a specific entity listed under entry number 4 in Annex XVIII to Decision 2014/512/CFSP only if necessary for the payment of a consideration due to a credit institution established in the Union carried out on the basis of a put option right contractually agreed and duly exercised before 28 February 2022. That derogation does not undermine the general objectives of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, and is justified solely by the need to address an unintended adverse consequence for a Union operator. In line with the position of the Union, that derogation should not authorise the provision of a specialised financial messaging service, which should remain prohibited under any circumstance. |
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(30) |
Third countries have adopted restrictive measures similar to those relating to travel through the Union by Russian diplomats and consular officers, as well as members of the administrative, technical or service staff of Russia’s diplomatic missions or consular posts, or their family members. It is thus appropriate to extend the sharing of information with those third countries on possible breaches of the relevant restrictive measures. |
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(31) |
It is appropriate to introduce a targeted exception to the prohibition to provide services directly related to tourism in Russia. |
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(32) |
It is appropriate to introduce a targeted derogation for specific research institutions from the existing prohibition on the acceptance of financing, donations or any other economic benefits or support from Russia, whether directly or indirectly, to cover existing obligations, for example for the operation, maintenance, modernisation or construction of the research institutions concerned. |
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(33) |
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has had widespread implications, including an aggravation of the risks and threats faced by the Union to its values, fundamental interests and security and public order. Many combatants who have participated in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, whether serving in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or in affiliated paramilitary groups, are returning from the front to Russia or relocating to third countries. Many of those combatants were previously convicted and were recruited from Russian prisons and sent to the front. Those combatants were radicalised by Russian tactics, have witnessed atrocities against the Ukrainian population or have participated in war crimes themselves. With their background and indoctrination, those individuals present a general risk of violent crime. If allowed to travel or relocate to Europe, they could become involved with organised crime or extremist movements or become agents of hostile operations. In view of Russia’s wider hybrid warfare strategies, those individuals could be used as defenders of Russia’s rhetoric on its war of aggression against Ukraine or become involved in spreading disinformation both about the reasons for the full-scale invasion and about Russia’s conduct in the war. Thus, the presence of those individuals in the Union constitutes a threat to the Union’s values, its fundamental interests and its security, as well as to the public policy or to the internal security or international relations of one or more Member States or of the Union as a whole. In the context of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, its continuous escalation and the related Council Decisions introducing measures to reduce economic and financial relations with Russia adopted since 24 February 2022, it is appropriate to impose an obligation on Member States to refuse the issuance of short-stay visas to individuals serving, or having served, since 24 February 2022, in active duty in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, or in any paramilitary, military-affiliated or irregular armed group associated with, controlled by or acting at the direction of the Russian government, with a view to contributing to preserving peace, preventing conflict and strengthening international security. In order to ensure the proportionality of that measure and that decisions are taken on the basis of individual conduct, it is appropriate that that ban should be applied only to those who have directly contributed to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine through combat operations. In order to facilitate uniform application of that ban by consular authorities, it is appropriate to defer its application until a Decision of the Council is taken once the actions necessary for its implementation have been taken. Consistent with the fundamental rights and freedoms recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in particular with the right to respect for the private and family life as recognised in Article 7 thereof, that ban should not apply in cases where a Member State considers that entry or transit through its territory is required for humanitarian purposes, for reasons of national interest or because of international obligations, and should not apply to applicants who are dissidents of or defectors from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or any paramilitary, military-affiliated or irregular armed group associated with, controlled by or acting at the direction of the Russian government. In such cases, a visa with limited territorial validity should be issued. |
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(34) |
Russian legislation and court practice enable persons to lodge a claim before certain Russian courts, which then assert jurisdiction over disputes and render judgments condemning Union companies in relation to contracts or transactions affected by Union restrictive measures. Accordingly, evidence shows that Russian persons, entities or bodies, or persons, entities or bodies acting through or on behalf of one of those Russian persons, entities or bodies, or owned or controlled by such persons, entities or bodies, seek or might seek to initiate and pursue legal proceedings in connection with measures imposed under Decisions 2014/145/CFSP and 2014/512/CFSP and Regulations (EU) No 269/2014 and (EU) No 833/2014, or seek or might seek to obtain recognition or enforcement of judgments granted through such legal proceedings. In order to preserve the effectiveness of Union restrictive measures, it is necessary for the Union to take action to mitigate the effect of such practices, by requiring Member States to not recognise or enforce any injunction, order, relief, judgment or other court or administrative decision given by a Russian court or authority in connection with any contract or transaction the performance of which has been affected, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the measures imposed under Decisions 2014/145/CFSP and 2014/512/CFSP and Regulations (EU) No 269/2014 and (EU) No 833/2014. |
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(35) |
It is appropriate to extend the deadlines applicable to certain derogations needed for divestments from Russia. Operators should be aware that Russia is a country where the rule of law is no longer applied, and that the Russian Federation has adopted several pieces of legislation targeting assets of companies from so-called ‘unfriendly countries’, including Member States. That situation has led to the persistent threat of Union assets being stranded in Russia without the possibility for their orderly withdrawal. Against that background, undertakings in the Union are strongly advised to take any possible steps to wind down businesses in Russia and not to start new businesses there. Unfortunately, new legislation, court judgments and practices in Russia have made it even more difficult for Union operators to perform an orderly withdrawal from the Russian market. It is therefore appropriate to extend divestment derogations to enable Union undertakings to exit as swiftly as possible from the Russian market. Those extended derogations are granted on a case-by-case basis by Member States and are focused on allowing an orderly divestment process, which would not be possible without the extension of those deadlines. |
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(36) |
Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures. |
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(37) |
Decision 2014/512/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Decision 2014/512/CFSP is amended as follows:
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(1) |
Article 1aa is amended as follows:
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(2) |
in Article 1ad, the following paragraphs are added: ‘8. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the competent authorities of a Member State may authorise transactions which are strictly necessary for the withdrawal of funds or the closing of accounts owned or held by a national of a Member State, of a country member of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or by natural persons having a temporary or permanent residence permit in a Member State, in a country member of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, held at legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annex XVIII and which were included in that Annex on or after 24 July 2026, under such conditions as the competent authorities deem appropriate and after having determined that:
Any authorisation under this paragraph shall be granted for a maximum period of validity of three months. The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under this paragraph, within two weeks of the authorisation. 9. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the competent authorities of a Member State may authorise the execution of transactions with the entity listed under entry number 4 in Annex XVIII, under such conditions as they deem appropriate and after having determined that the execution of the transaction is necessary for the payment of a consideration due to a credit institution established in the Union carried out on the basis of a put option right contractually agreed and duly exercised before 28 February 2022. The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under this paragraph, within two weeks of the authorisation.’ |
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(3) |
in Article 1ae, the following paragraph is added: ‘4. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the competent authorities of a Member State may authorise transactions which are strictly necessary for the withdrawal of funds or the closing of accounts owned or held by a national of a Member State, of a country member of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or by natural persons having a temporary or permanent residence permit in a Member State, in a country member of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, held at legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annex XIX and which were included in that Annex on or after 24 July 2026, under such conditions as the competent authorities deem appropriate and after having determined that:
Any authorisation under this paragraph shall be granted for a maximum period of validity of three months. The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under this paragraph, within two weeks of the authorisation.’ |
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(4) |
in Article 1af, the following paragraphs are inserted: ‘2a. It shall be prohibited to engage in any transaction, directly or indirectly, with refineries listed in Part D of Annex XXI. Part D of Annex XXI shall include refineries in Russia and in third countries other than Russia that are used:
2b. The prohibition referred to in paragraph 2a shall apply in respect of entry number 1 in Part D of Annex XXI as of 25 January 2027. The Commission shall, by 25 October 2026, report to the Council its assessment of whether the listing referred to in entry number 1 in Part D of Annex XXI should be maintained.’ |
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(5) |
in Article 1ag(3), first subparagraph, the introductory wording is replaced by the following: ‘3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the competent authorities may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, transactions that are strictly necessary:’ |
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(6) |
Article 1b(2a) is replaced by the following: ‘2a. It shall be prohibited, as from 18 January 2024, to allow Russian nationals or natural persons residing in Russia to directly or indirectly own or control, or to hold any posts in the governing bodies of, a legal person, entity or body which is incorporated or constituted under the law of a Member State and is providing crypto-asset wallet, account or custody services. As from 25 August 2026, that prohibition shall also apply to the case of a legal person, entity or body which is incorporated or constituted under the law of a Member State and is providing any other crypto-asset services, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*1). (*1) Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on markets in crypto-assets, and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 (OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 40, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj).’;" |
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(7) |
the following article is inserted: ‘Article 1bc 1. It shall be prohibited to engage, directly or indirectly, in any transaction with a legal person, entity or body that is an entity providing crypto-asset services or is a platform enabling the exchange or transfer of crypto-assets and is established in a third country listed in Annex XXX. 2. Annex XXX shall include only third countries that have been identified by the Council as having systematically and persistently failed to prevent the provision of crypto-asset services, or to prevent platforms exchanging or transferring crypto-assets, in frustration of the provisions of this Decision and Decision 2014/145/CFSP, or of Regulations (EU) No 269/2014 and (EU) No 833/2014. 3. The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall not apply to transactions made by nationals of a Member State who are residents of a country listed in Annex XXX and were so before the relevant date indicated in that Annex.’ |
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(8) |
in Article 1e, the following paragraph is added: ‘3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the competent authorities of a Member State may authorise transactions which are strictly necessary for the withdrawal of funds or the closing of accounts owned or held by a national of a Member State, of a country member of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or by natural persons having a temporary or permanent residence permit in a Member State, in a country member of the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, held at legal persons, entities or bodies listed in Annex VIII and which were included in that Annex on or after 24 July 2026, under such conditions as the competent authorities deem appropriate and after having determined that:
Any authorisation under this paragraph shall be granted for a maximum period of validity of three months. The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisation granted under this paragraph, within two weeks of the authorisation.’ |
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(9) |
in Article 1k, the following paragraph is inserted: ‘2a. The prohibition in paragraph 2 shall not apply to the provision of a computerised reservation system as defined in Regulation (EC) No 80/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*2), or any successive Regulation replacing it. (*2) Regulation (EC) No 80/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 January 2009 on a Code of Conduct for computerised reservation systems and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 2299/89 (OJ L 35, 4.2.2009, p. 47, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/80/oj).’;" |
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(10) |
Article 1p is amended as follows:
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(11) |
in Article 3(4), point (e) is replaced by the following:
; |
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(12) |
in Article 3a(4), point (e) is replaced by the following:
; |
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(13) |
Article 4k is amended as follows:
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(14) |
Article 4m is amended as follows:
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|
(15) |
in Article 4o, the following paragraph is added: ‘11. By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2, the competent authorities of the Member States may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, the purchase, import or transfer of crude oil or petroleum products listed in Annex XIII that originate in or are exported from Russia, as well as the provision of technical assistance, brokering services, financing or financial assistance, or any other related services, after having established that:
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(16) |
in Article 4oa, the following paragraph is added: ‘3. Competent authorities may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, importers to not provide evidence of the country of origin of the crude oil used for the refining of the product in a third country as referred to in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, after having established that:
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(17) |
Article 4p is amended as follows:
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|
(18) |
in Article 4pb, the following paragraph is added: ‘5. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the competent authorities of the Member States may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, the temporary storage, and the placement under the free-zone procedure pursuant to Article 245(3) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, of crude oil or petroleum products listed in Annex XIII to this Decision in Union territory, if the goods originate in or are exported from Russia, after having established that:
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(19) |
Article 4r is amended as follows:
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(20) |
the following article is inserted: ‘Article 4va 1. Any sale or other arrangement entailing a transfer of ownership by a national of a Member State, by a natural person residing in a Member State or by a legal person, entity or body which is established in the Union to any third country of an LNG tanker vessel falling under CN code ex 8901 20 shall be notified immediately to the competent authorities of the Member State where the owner of the vessel is a citizen, a resident or is established. The notification to the competent authority shall contain at least the following information:
2. The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any notification under paragraph 1, within one week of the notification. 3. On the basis of an assessment by the Commission of the information provided under paragraphs 1 and 2, the Council shall review by 25 October 2026 whether a prohibition as provided for in paragraphs 4 to 9 should enter into force. 4. From the date decided by the Council under paragraph 10, it shall be prohibited for any national of a Member State, any natural person residing in a Member State and any legal person, entity or body which is established in the Union to sell, or otherwise transfer ownership, directly or indirectly, of liquified natural gas (LNG) tanker vessels falling under CN code ex 8901 20 to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia or for use in Russia. 5. In accordance with paragraph 4, any national of a Member State, any natural person residing in a Member State and any legal person, entity or body which is established in the Union that sells or otherwise transfers the ownership, to persons, entities and bodies in any third country, directly or indirectly, of an LNG tanker vessel falling under CN code ex 8901 20 shall:
6. Natural and legal persons, entities or bodies referred to in paragraph 5 acquiring LNG tanker vessels shall provide all the information necessary for the completion of the steps referred to in point (a) of that paragraph. 7. The steps referred to in paragraph 5, point (a), shall address all relevant information available at the time of the sale or transfer. 8. Any sale or other arrangement entailing a transfer of ownership by a national of a Member State, by a natural person residing in a Member State or by a legal person, entity or body which is established in the Union to any third country of an LNG tanker vessel falling under CN code ex 8901 20 shall contain a written contractual prohibition on any further resale or transfer of the vessel to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia or for use in Russia. 9. The sale or other arrangement referred to in paragraph 8 shall also include written contractual provisions by which the third-country party acquiring the vessel:
10. Paragraphs 4 to 9 shall apply from the date of entry into force of a Decision to be adopted by the Council, upon a proposal from the High Representative, based on the assessment carried out by the Commission referred to in paragraph 3.’ |
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(21) |
in Article 4wa, the following paragraphs are added: ‘4. The prohibitions in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article shall not apply to the transport by vessel, or to technical assistance, brokering services, financing or financial assistance related to such transport, of the products listed in Part B of Annex XII to the third countries mentioned therein, for the duration specified in that Annex. 5. Without prejudice to paragraph 4, paragraph 1 shall not apply until 25 July 2027 and thereafter for successive periods of one year, unless the Council following an annual review decides otherwise, to transfers and, where relevant, purchases related to those transfers that are destined for third countries when both the transfer and the purchase are executed under contracts concluded before 24 February 2022, the duration of which exceeds one year and which were not amended after that date, unless such amendment is limited to:
The temporary exemption to the prohibition in paragraph 1 of this Article to transfers of liquified natural gas (LNG), as set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, shall only apply in a given year up to the yearly volume of LNG originating in or exported from Russia in 2025 transferred by a natural or legal person, entity or body referred to in Article 13 of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 under the existing long-term contracts of that person, entity or body, as specified in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, irrespective of its destination. Natural and legal persons, entities and bodies transferring LNG originating in or exported from Russia to third countries shall report the relevant historical volumes to the competent authorities of the Member State in which they are established by 25 August 2026, and that Member State shall report that information to the Commission without undue delay. The measures provided for in this paragraph shall be kept under regular review. By 25 June 2027 and every 12 months thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Council an assessment of the economic effects on Russia of the measures provided for in this paragraph. That assessment may be submitted at an earlier date where deemed justified by the Commission. Acting on the basis of the Commission’s assessment, the Council shall on an annual basis and without undue delay review the functioning of the measures provided for in this paragraph in the light of their economic effects and the objectives of this Decision. Following its review, the Council may decide, upon a proposal from the High Representative, to shorten, extend or terminate the temporary exemption in this paragraph, taking into account the effectiveness of the prohibition in this Article as well as the specific situations of certain Member States and the economic circumstances of the natural and legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 13 of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014.’; By 25 August 2026 and every three months thereafter, natural and legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 13 of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 that transfer or purchase in relation to that transfer LNG originating in or exported from Russia to third countries shall report to the competent authorities of the Member State in which they are established at least the following information with respect to each shipment, as available, for a transfer or purchase related to that transfer, which that Member State shall report to the Commission without undue delay:
Member States and the Commission shall ensure the protection of confidential information acquired in the application of this Article in accordance with Union law and relevant national law. Member States and the Commission shall ensure that classified information provided or exchanged pursuant to this Article is not downgraded or declassified without the prior written consent of the originator of that classified information.’ |
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(22) |
Article 4wb is replaced by the following: ‘Article 4wb From 1 January 2027, it shall be prohibited to provide, directly or indirectly, LNG terminal services to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia, or to any legal person, entity or body which is more than 50 % owned, or which is controlled directly or indirectly, by a Russian citizen or by a legal person, entity or body in Russia. It shall be prohibited to maintain contracts concerning prohibited LNG services pursuant to this Article after 1 January 2027 |
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(23) |
in Article 4x(2), the following points are added:
; |
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(24) |
in Article 5d, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: ‘5. Member States shall inform the Council, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland of any cases of breach of the obligation in paragraph 1.’ |
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(25) |
the following article is inserted: ‘Article 5f 1. Short-stay visas shall be refused to applicants who are serving, or have served, since 24 February 2022, in active duty in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, or in any paramilitary, military-affiliated or irregular armed group associated with, controlled by or acting at the direction of the Russian government, where those applicants have directly contributed to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine through combat operations. Applications shall be refused on the grounds of a threat to public policy or internal security or a threat to the international relations of any of the Member States. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply in cases where a Member State considers that entry or transit through its territory is required for humanitarian purposes, for reasons of national interest or because of international obligations, and shall not apply in respect of applicants who present conclusive evidence that they are dissidents of or defectors from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or any of the groups referred to in that paragraph. In such cases, a visa with limited territorial validity shall be issued. Such a visa shall be valid for the territory of the issuing Member State. It may exceptionally be valid for the territory of more than one Member State, subject to the consent of each such Member State. 3. Paragraph 1 of this Article shall be implemented without prejudice to and in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down in the relevant visa regulatory framework, in particular Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*3). 4. The Council, upon a proposal from the High Representative, shall decide on the entry into force of the measures set out in this Article, provided that the necessary actions allowing for the implementation of those measures have been taken, including, where appropriate, in relation to the relevant visa regulatory framework. (*3) Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) (OJ L 243, 15.9.2009, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/810/oj).’;" |
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(26) |
in Article 7, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: ‘4. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the competent authorities, based on a specific and case-by-case assessment, may authorise, until 31 December 2027, the satisfaction of a claim made by one of the persons, entities and bodies indicated in paragraph 1, point (b), under such conditions as the competent authorities deem appropriate and after having determined that the satisfaction of the claim is strictly necessary for the divestment from Russia or the wind-down of business activities in Russia.’ |
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(27) |
in Article 7a, the following paragraph is added: ‘3. No injunction, order, relief, judgment or other court or administrative decision pursuant to or derived from Article 248.1 or Article 248.2 of the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation or equivalent Russian legislation, or given by a Russian court or authority pursuant to any other law of the Russian Federation, holding a person referred to in Article 13, point (c) or (d), of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 liable, whether in contract or in tort or on any other legal basis, or giving effect, directly or indirectly, to any claim, right or alleged obligation against such person, including in the context of insolvency, bankruptcy, restructuring or analogous proceedings, in connection with any contract or transaction the performance of which has been affected, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the measures imposed under this Decision, shall be recognised, given effect or enforced in a Member State.’ |
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(28) |
Article 8c is replaced by the following: ‘Article 8c The Council, acting by unanimity on the basis of Articles 29 and 30 of the Treaty on European Union, shall amend Annexes I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XIV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX and XXX.’ |
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(29) |
the Annexes to Decision 2014/512/CFSP are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision. |
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 23 July 2026.
For the Council
The President
T. BYRNE
(1) Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 13, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2014/512/oj).
(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1495 of 18 July 2025 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L, 2025/1495, 19.7.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1495/oj).
(3) Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/833/oj).
(4) Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2032 of 23 October 2025 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L, 2025/2032, 23.10.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2032/oj).
(5) Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on markets in crypto-assets, and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 (OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 40, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj).
(6) Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/508 of 23 April 2026 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L, 2026/508, 23.4.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/508/oj).
(7) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506 of 23 April 2026 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L, 2026/506, 23.4.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/506/oj).
(8) Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 16, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2014/145(1)/oj).
(9) Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 6, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/269/oj).
ANNEX
Decision 2014/512/CFSP is amended as follows:
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(1) |
in Annex IV:
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(2) |
in Annex VIII, the following entries are added:
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(3) |
Annex XII is replaced by the following: ‘ANNEX XII Part A - List of products and third countries referred to in Article 4p(6b), point (b)
Part B - List of products and third countries referred to in Article 4wa(4)
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(4) |
Annex XIV is replaced by the following: ‘ANNEX XIV List of goods and technology and countries referred to in Article 5a’;
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(5) |
Annex XVI is amended as follows:
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(6) |
Annex XVIII is amended as follows:
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(7) |
Annex XIX is amended as follows:
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(8) |
Annex XXI is amended as follows:
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(9) |
the following Annex is added: ‘ANNEX XXX List of countries referred to in Article 1bc’.
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ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1849/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)