On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Switzerland officially expanded its sanctions regime against Russia, joining the EU’s 18th package of sanctions. The steps were confirmed by the Federal Department of Economy, Education and Research (EAER) and published on the official Swiss government website.
“In response to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the EU’s adoption on July 18 of the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, acting within its powers the EAER approved additional lists of Swiss sanctions.”
– Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland (EAER)
As part of the latest step, the lists of individuals and organizations subject to asset freezes were updated. Fourteen individuals and 41 organizations were added to the sanctions records, a ban on providing financial resources was introduced, and their entry and transit through Swiss territory was restricted.
“Among the new sanctioned individuals and organizations are Russian and international companies that operate vessels of the shadow fleet, traders of Russian crude oil, and suppliers to the Russian military-industrial complex, including those based in third countries.”
– EAER
In addition, Switzerland imposed a full ban on the purchase, sale and provision of services for another 105 ships from third countries. These are mainly tankers belonging to the so-called shadow fleet of Russia and often used to circumvent price caps on Russian oil products or to transport military cargo.
The government also reduced the price cap on Russian crude oil to $47.60 per barrel in line with the EU’s new rules and current world market prices.
“In the area of trade, 26 new entities, including those from third countries, were subjected to stricter export controls, notably due to evading export controls on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).”
– EAER
According to EAER, the measures will take effect at 23:00 local time on August 12, with the exception of the changes to the price cap on Russian crude oil, which will come into effect on September 3.
What is known about the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia
On July 18, 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted the 18th sanctions package against Russia, which envisages several key steps in its foreign economic policy and the energy sector:
- Introduction of a dynamic price-cap mechanism for oil: the price is set 15% below the market average for Russian crude oil – about $47.60 per barrel instead of around $60.
- New prohibitions on transactions related to Nord Stream 1 and 2, as well as the addition of 105 new ships from the shadow fleet to the sanctions lists.
- A gradual move away from the use of SWIFT with expanded restrictions on Russia’s financial operations up to a full ban on transactions.
- Strengthening restrictions on Russia’s access to dual-use technologies and modern technologies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the new sanctions package increases pressure not only on Russia’s tanker fleet, but also on companies and individuals funding the war through oil operations and related supply chains.
In summary, experts note that expanding Switzerland’s sanction pressure is an important step in supporting European unity against Russia’s aggression. These measures strengthen monitoring of the shadow fleet, reduce the financial attractiveness of Russia’s oil industry, and decrease opportunities to use storage facilities to bypass restrictions.