EU’s 21st sanctions package would add 170 Russia-linked names, including 90 Russian banks

The European Union is preparing its 21st sanctions package against Russia, and the bit that matters for payments is the bank list: Reuters says the draft would add 170 individuals and entities, including 90 Russian banks. For PSPs, acquirers, and banking partners, that is not a symbolic footnote; it is the sort of change that can alter routing, settlement, and counterparty risk almost immediately.

1. Reuters reported, citing a diplomatic source, that the EU plans to add another 170 individuals and legal entities to its Russia-related blacklist. The proposed list includes 90 Russian banks, which is the detail that payment teams will care about first.
2. Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at a press conference after an informal meeting of defence ministers in Cyprus that 80 Russian individuals and entities had been proposed for inclusion in the sanctions list.
3. According to the European Commission website, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present proposals for the 21st sanctions package on 9 June at 14:00 MSK.