EU’s 16th package of sanctions against Russia adopted

The 16th package of sanctions aimed against Russia by the European Union was adopted on 24 February 2025, which was the third anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The new package of sanctions includes for example a ban on imports of primary aluminium. The package also introduces new measures on the Russian shadow fleet.

The sanctions package includes additions to the import and export bans to restrict the trade with Russia. Products that could promote Russia's military, industrial and technological development were added to the scope of the export ban. Included are, for example, metalliferous ores and concentrates, chromium, pyrotechnic articles and springs. 

Primary aluminium was added to the list of import sanctions. However, during a one-year transition period, aluminium may be imported up to the quota mentioned in the regulation. No aluminium was imported from Russia to Finland in 2024.

The package of sanctions also includes measures against the Russian shadow fleet. For example, vessels placed on the list of sanctions do not have access to EU ports. In addition, European operators are prohibited from doing business with separately listed Russian ports and airports participating in the circumvention of sanctions.

Sanctions are only effective when the EU as a whole consistently implements these critical actions. Finnish Customs supervises the implementation of sanctions in close international cooperation between authorities. In this work, we are essentially helped by close regional cooperation with the Baltic countries, Poland and other Nordic countries,” says Petri Lounatmaa, Director of Enforcement. 

The new sanctions were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Monday 24 February 2025. The sanctions package entered into force at midnight on Tuesday 25 February 2025.

Press release by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (24 February 2025)