Furthermore, three deceased and four individuals, namely Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, Gulbakhor Ismailova, Mikhail Degtyaryov, and Vladimir Rashevsky have now been removed from the asset freeze list under EU Regulation 269/2014.

On 12 March 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution (2025/2528(RSP)) (the Resolution) that calls for bold steps to escalate the pressure on Russia. The Resolution proposes confiscating frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction efforts.

Additionally, the resolution urges EU institutions and Member States to enhance the effectiveness of sanctions through several key measures, including:

• Banning or adding tariffs to Russian imports to the EU to limit economic benefits
• Extending sanctions to enabling states such as Belarus, Iran, and North Korea
• Sanctioning Chinese entities supplying dual-use goods or military items to Russia
• Addressing circumvention issues by EU-based companies, third-party actors, and non-EU nations aiding sanction evasion
• Calling for the next EU sanctions package to sanction shadow fleet tankers and their owners and for actions against sanctions circumvention of the Russian shadow fleet
• Broadening sanctions on Russian and Belarusian wood products
• Imposing stricter entry limitations on Russian and Belarusian citizens entering the EU

Complementing these measures, the European Parliament has on 12 March 2025, formally adopted a white paper on the future of European defence, signalling an important shift in EU security strategy (the White Paper). The White Paper calls for unified and ambitious efforts to address growing geopolitical threats, including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the increasing influence of non-European powers. It articulates the need for the EU to transform itself into a credible security and defence provider.

• Comprehensive EU risk assessment: The White Paper urges the development of an EU-wide risk assessment to identify potential cross-sector threats, including cyberattacks, hybrid warfare, and geopolitical destabilisation. This framework would provide strategic foresight and ensure the EU's preparedness for emerging challenges.
• Integration of defence and security into EU policies: A horizontal approach is advocated, calling for security and defence to be integrated into key EU policies. This includes aligning financial tools, regulatory frameworks, and industrial strategies to reinforce defence readiness.
• European Defence Union: To safeguard Europe’s territorial integrity, the White Paper calls the implementation of the European Defence Union. It underscores the need for coordinated investments, streamlined procurement processes, and enhanced cooperation with existing frameworks like NATO. A focus on strategic regions, such as the Black Sea and Arctic, is highlighted as critical for preserving European security.
• Enhanced defence industrial policy: Recognising substantial capability gaps, the paper pushes for strengthened industrial collaboration and investment. It supports a more competitive EU’ Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the EDTIB and prioritises the development of critical technologies like cybersecurity, drones, and space-based systems.
• Transformational ambition: The paper stresses that current efforts must evolve into a cohesive, long-term defence strategy. Specific actions include scaling up military readiness, meeting urgent needs in Ukraine, and forming strategic partnerships to counter global threats.

The White Paper further emphasises the need to learn from Ukraine’s wartime experience, recommending the integration of Ukraine's defence industry into European efforts. A detailed roadmap provides both short and long-term priorities, reflecting the urgency and complexity of today’s threat landscape.

By extending individual restrictions and targeting broader networks of support, the EU aims to increase its economic and strategic pressure on Russia while ensuring proper enforcement mechanisms are in place. These updates reflect the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine and upholding the integrity of its sanctions framework.

EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/528 can be found here and EU Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/527 here.

European Parliament resolution on continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, 2025/2528(RSP), can be found here.

European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2025 on the white paper on the future of European defence (2025/2565(RSP)) – can be found here.