Russia Condemns EU’s 20th Sanctions Package and Pledges Retaliatory Measures

Apr 24, 2026, 11:46

Introduction

The European Union adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia on Thursday, leading to a formal condemnation from Moscow and a promise of retaliatory action. Russian officials claim that the measures are illegitimate under international law and will harm both developing countries and the EU itself.

Main Body

The European Commission announced the adoption of the 20th sanctions package on Thursday, targeting Russia’s energy, finance, trade, and defense sectors. It also introduced new mechanisms to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. The package had been delayed by internal disagreements within the EU, notably opposition from Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. After a change in leadership in Budapest and the resumption of oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, Slovakia and Hungary withdrew their objections, allowing the sanctions to be finalized. Russia’s Permanent Mission to the EU issued a statement criticizing the bloc’s actions as a “complete disregard” for international law and the UN Charter. The mission asserted that only sanctions approved by the UN Security Council are legitimate. It characterized all other measures as “unilateral coercive measures” that constitute unfair and aggressive actions. It specifically denounced the new “anti-sanctions evasion instrument,” which gives Brussels the authority to unilaterally restrict exports of certain goods and technologies to third countries considered at risk of circumventing sanctions on Russia. The mission described this as economic pressure and an extraterritorial application of EU rules against sovereign states. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova elaborated on the consequences of the sanctions during her weekly press conference on Friday. She stated that the restrictions on hydrocarbons, imposed during a global energy crisis and resource shortages, would hurt developing countries that can no longer afford energy at inflated prices. She also warned that the sanctions threaten food security because they include additional restrictions on fertilizers. Zakharova emphasized that Russia would take “tough” retaliatory measures designed in accordance with its national interests. The Russian mission further noted that the country’s economy remains resilient, while cautioning that the EU should be concerned about its own economic outlook and energy security. It added that the negative effects will return to those who started the sanctions.

Conclusion

The EU has finalized its 20th sanctions package after resolving internal disagreements, while Russia has condemned the measures as illegitimate and promised a firm response. The situation remains characterized by both sides blaming each other, with each asserting that the other’s actions will have negative consequences for global stability and their own interests.

Vocabulary Learning

circumvention
The act of finding a way to avoid a rule, law, or restriction.規避
Example:The EU introduced new mechanisms to prevent the circumvention of sanctions.
condemn
To express strong disapproval of something, usually in a formal or official way.譴責
Example:Russia condemned the EU's sanctions package as illegitimate.
resilient
Able to recover quickly from difficult conditions; strong and flexible.有韌性的
Example:The Russian mission noted that the economy remains resilient despite sanctions.
retaliatory
Intended to harm someone because they have harmed you; done in retaliation.報復性的
Example:Russia promised retaliatory measures against the EU sanctions.
unilateral
Done or undertaken by one person or party without the agreement of others.單方面的
Example:Russia characterized the sanctions as unilateral coercive measures.

Sentence Learning

The European Union adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia on Thursday, leading to a formal condemnation from Moscow and a promise of retaliatory action.
Present participle phrase 'leading to' shows a result or consequence, linking the action to its outcome.現在分詞短語「leading to」表示結果或後果，將行動與其結果聯繫起來。
The package had been delayed by internal disagreements within the EU, notably opposition from Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Passive voice 'had been delayed' emphasizes the action rather than the doer; 'notably' introduces a specific example.被動語態「had been delayed」強調動作而非執行者；「notably」引出一個具體例子。
After a change in leadership in Budapest and the resumption of oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, Slovakia and Hungary withdrew their objections, allowing the sanctions to be finalized.
'After' introduces a time clause showing sequence; 'allowing' is a participle phrase indicating the result of the withdrawal.「After」引入時間從句表示先後順序；「allowing」是分詞短語，表示撤回的結果。
It specifically denounced the new 'anti-sanctions evasion instrument,' which gives Brussels the authority to unilaterally restrict exports of certain goods and technologies to third countries considered at risk of circumventing sanctions on Russia.
Relative clause 'which gives' provides additional information about the instrument; passive 'considered' shortens the description.關係從句「which gives」提供關於該工具的其他信息；被動語態「considered」簡化了描述。
She stated that the restrictions on hydrocarbons, imposed during a global energy crisis and resource shortages, would hurt developing countries that can no longer afford energy at inflated prices.
Passive 'imposed' modifies 'restrictions'; relative clause 'that can no longer afford' specifies which developing countries.被動語態「imposed」修飾「restrictions」；關係從句「that can no longer afford」具體說明哪些發展中國家。