The European Commission is ready to propose its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, targeting its energy sector, banks and also fisheries, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Tuesday (June 9).

Von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels the package focuses on the sectors with the "highest impact". "Our sanctions keep biting hard and cutting deep. They are weakening the economic foundations of Russia's war effort," she added.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION URSULA VON DER LEYEN ANNOUNCING NEW SANCTIONS PACKAGE AGAINST RUSSIA

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (JUNE 9, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"Today we are putting forward the 21st sanctions package. We focus on the sectors with the highest impact: that is energy, financial services and crypto, trade, and this time it includes, for the very first time, fisheries, and we are banning the entry of former Russian combatants into the European Union."

2. WHITE FRAME

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"Today, we propose listing 30 more vessels on top of the 632 already sanctioned. For the first time, we are also targeting vessels that assist the shadow fleet. For example, providing bunkering and other services. And we propose targeting critical infrastructure, such as ports, airports, or refineries, trading or processing Russian oil."

4. WHITE FRAME

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"We are expanding our transaction bans to 31 more Russian banks and to 20 banks, crypto firms, or platforms, and oil traders in third countries."

6. WHITE FRAME

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"For the first time, we will introduce the possibility of a full third country ban for crypto asset services. It will act as a strong deterrent for the countries hosting platforms that help Russia evade our sanctions."

8. WHITE FRAME

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"We're targeting more metals and alloys used in the aerospace and defense sectors. For drones, we propose new export bans on ground support equipment and jamming and launch systems, among other items."

10. WHITE FRAME

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"We propose substantial restrictions on imports of some fish products and a complete ban on others, including cod. And we'll be aligning trade restrictions for Belarus so it cannot serve as a backdoor for Russian trade."

12. WHITE FRAME

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"In the next few days, we will open the first cluster with Ukraine and Moldova. And this basically opens the door to the next phase of the accession process. The formal start of negotiations."

14. VON DER LEYEN LEAVING (PART MUTE)

15. VARIOUS OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION BUILDING