Brussels plans to tighten control over foreign companies suspected of circumventing existing sanctions—an issue that has weakened the effectiveness of previous packages.
Another important point is the expansion of the list of the so-called “shadow fleet” — a network of tankers that Russia uses to circumvent the price cap on oil introduced by Western countries in December 2022.
These tankers enable Moscow to maintain its oil exports despite the sanctions and generate billions in revenue.
LNG imports
Diplomatic sources cited by Reuters and Bloomberg suggest that the package could also include a proposal to end imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU ahead of schedule, on January 1, 2027, instead of in 2028 as originally planned.
This move would significantly accelerate the EU's efforts to achieve energy independence from Russia, although the complete elimination of Russian fossil fuels by 2028 remains the ultimate goal under the REPowerEU plan.
The European Commission had postponed the ban on LNG imports planned in earlier packages and instead banned the transshipment of Russian LNG in European ports, but is now returning to a direct embargo.
Phone call with Trump
The presentation of the sanctions package was originally scheduled for September 17, but was postponed due to pressure from Washington.
Trump threatened to impose “significant sanctions” on Russia in a phone call with von der Leyen if the EU did not “immediately” stop buying Russian oil and gas.
The White House chief, who returned to office in January 2025, sees fuel exports as Russia's main source of revenue for the war and is calling for a quicker end to the conflict.
After the conversation, von der Leyen announced that the Commission would propose accelerating the phasing out of Russian fossil fuel imports in order to strengthen coordination with the US.
Trump is also urging the EU to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from India and China—countries that have significantly increased their purchases of Russian energy since 2022, helping Moscow circumvent sanctions.
However, this proposal is considered unfeasible by member states and the Commission, especially in light of plans to conclude a free trade agreement with India by the end of the year.
Trump's demand was also supported by US Senator Lindsey Graham, who stated on social media that Europe had already largely stopped buying Russian energy, but “now it's basically just Hungary and Slovakia.”
"I hope they take a clear position soon to help us end this bloodshed. If not, there should and will be consequences," he added.
Pressure on Slovakia and Hungary
The European Commission sees Trump's remarks as further pressure on these two countries, which are most dependent on Russian resources.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen will begin negotiations with Hungary and Slovakia on alternative supplies in the coming weeks.
Before the invasion in 2021, the EU imported up to 45 percent of its natural gas and 27 percent of its oil from Russia. In 2024, these shares have fallen to 19 percent for natural gas and only three percent for oil, which is a success for the sanctions and the diversification of resources.
However, Hungary and Slovakia have temporary exemptions for oil imports via the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine.
According to three European officials quoted by Politico, the Commission sees Trump's pressure as an opportunity to further reduce this dependence.
Purchase of gas from the US
Trump is simultaneously demanding that the EU replace Russian raw materials with American liquefied natural gas (LNG).
At a meeting with von der Leyen, he secured a commitment to purchase at least $750 billion worth of American oil and gas by the end of his term in office.
However, according to Politico, analysts consider this goal to be virtually unattainable: Last year, the EU spent €375 billion on energy, of which only €76 billion came from the US.
To achieve this goal, it would have to triple its imports from the US and restrict suppliers such as Norway, which offers cheaper gas. In addition, the US exported $166 billion worth of oil and gas, which would mean diverting all exports to Europe.
In the first quarter of 2025, American LNG achieved a 50.7 percent share of the European market, while Russia retained a 17 percent share thanks to older contracts.
Companies fear legal disputes if these contracts are terminated, and the Commission does not yet have a mechanism to encourage the private sector to make larger purchases from the US.
