COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 23 July 2026

● Council of the EU   23/07/2026 17:00 | Press release | Fighting child sexual abuse online: interim measure protecting children now reinstated   Today, the Council gave its final green light to a regulation allowing online service providers to resume voluntary detection and removal of child sexual abuse material on their platforms. The measure is temporary and aims to protect children while a long-term legislative framework is under negotiation. Voluntary activities by online providers are crucial as they help identify, investigate and prosecute offenders. They contribute to rescuing victims, preventing further abuse and reducing the spread of child sexual abuse online. “Today is an important day for the protection of children. With the green light given, we have moved quickly to address the legal gap that existed when the derogation to the ePrivacy Regulation lapsed in April. The decision taken by the Parliament earlier this month, and by the Council today, allows online providers to resume their voluntary efforts to fight the spread of child sexual abuse material online. This is the right thing to do, and I am confident that the same sense of responsibility will guide us in negotiating long-term rules for the detection of child sexual abuse online. The protection of children must be our first concern.” — Jim O’Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration of Ireland The measure constitutes a derogation from data protection rules in the electronic communications sector. This derogation allows online service providers to detect online child sexual abuse on their services, as well as to report and remove it. The Council’s decision to support the rules as amended by the European Parliament follows from the need to act swiftly and to fill the legal gap after the previous interim measure expired on 3 April 2026. The amendments adopted by the European Parliament were accepted by the Council in view of the specific purpose and limited duration of the interim regulation. The measure will be reinstated until 3 April 2028. This will help bridge the gap until a new EU law offers a long-term legal framework for preventing and combatting online child sexual abuse. The Council and the European Parliament are currently negotiating these long-term rules. Today’s agreement will not prejudice the ongoing negotiations, to provide legal clarity and certainty for the long term. Next steps The interim measure will be published in the EU Official Journal in the coming days and will enter into force 3 days later. It will apply until 3 April 2028. Background The initial interim regulation allowing for a derogation from the e-privacy directive was agreed in 2021, as a short-term solution to enable the detection of child sexual abuse material online until the conclusion of negotiations on the long-term legal framework. It had lapsed on 3 April 2026. The European Parliament adopted its position on reinstating the interim measure in a vote held on 9 July 2026. Today, the Council green lighted the rules as amended by the European Parliament. This decision follows from the need to swiftly reinstate an interim measure protecting children.  The amendments proposed by the European Parliament exclude number-independent interpersonal communications from the scope of the regulation to which end-to-end encryption is, has been or will be applied. Today’s decision does not imply that the Council would accept similar amendments as part of the negotiations for long-term rules on preventing and combatting online child sexual abuse. Further precision and clarity would be needed in the long-term legal framework to ensure the protection of children from both sexual abuse and secondary victimisation. EU Law Tracker Text of the regulation   Visit the website

Press material Thursday, 23 July 2026

● Council of the EU   23/07/2026 17:45 | Press release | 21st package of sanctions: EU hits Russian energy, financial services and crypto hard   Today, the Council adopted the 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia in response to its war of aggression against Ukraine. It includes harsh economic sanctions hitting the sectors that have the greatest impact on Russia’s economy and its ability to fuel its war of aggression against Ukraine, and the largest batch of individual listings of the last four years, totalling 218, of which 48 individuals and 170 entities. Today’s package aims to further cripple Russia’s economy and war machine. It follows Russia’s recent brutal military strikes deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy, water and health facilities, cultural and religious sites, and causing severe hardship for the civilian population. The EU remains determined to maintain and increase pressure on Russia to stop its brutal war of aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. “With each round of sanctions, we squeeze Russia’s economy and its capacity to prolong its illegal war. Our 21st package includes the highest number of listings in four years. We’re hitting over a hundred banks and crypto operators, 40+ vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet, and several oil refineries in Russia and Belarus. More than 50 military-industrial entities are included, key actors involved in the production of Russia's long-range drones. Russia will only negotiate to end its illegal war and stop killing civilians if it is pressured to do so. Sanctions add to this pressure.” — Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and chair of the Foreign Affairs Council Tightening the screws on financial services and crypto Today, the EU is significantly expanding action against Russia’s financial and banking sector as a vehicle of Russia’s war economy. The Council is imposing asset freezes and a prohibition to make funds available to 94 banks and major financial institutions, as well as to an important figure in Russia’s banking establishment. It is extending its transaction ban to 33 additional Russian credit and financial institutions. Furthermore, it is introducing a transaction ban against a Kyrgyz bank connected with the SPFS (System for Transfer of Financial Messages) ban and three other non-Russian banks for circumventing sanctions. The EU is adding 4 designations related to the cross-border A7 network, including its new links to Africa. It is also extending its transaction ban to 14 crypto-related service platforms based in Georgia, Panama, the UAE, the Marshall Islands, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus. For the first time, the EU is introducing the possibility of a full third-country ban for crypto-asset services, as a strong deterrent to countries hosting platforms that help Russia evade EU sanctions. This new instrument will enable the EU to ban any transaction between an EU operator and any crypto provider used by Russia. Keeping up pressure on Russia’s revenue generation Concerning energy, today’s package pauses the automatic adjustment of the oil price cap mechanism until 15 July 2027. This is to ensure that Russia's profits from oil sales remain contained, despite the exceptional market situation caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Today’s agreement foresees an interim review of the suspension to ensure that the mechanism remains necessary and proportionate. The EU is also continuing to target the shadow fleet by extending the scope of the existing rules also to cover vessels supporting the shadow fleet, by providing bunkering and other services, and listing 41 more vessels on top of the 632 already sanctioned. These measures target non-EU tankers that are part of the shadow fleet circumventing the oil price cap mechanism, that support Russia’s energy sector in other ways, or that transport military equipment for Russia or stolen Ukrainian grain. The EU is designating 8 entities and 1 individual active in the shadow fleet ecosystem, including companies operating on behalf of Russia’s oil majors and, for the first time, a crewing agency providing support to the shadow fleet. Furthermore, the EU is targeting the oil sector, in particular refineries. It is designating 18 entities and 1 individual in the oil sector, including 3 refineries in Russia, a major Belarusian oil refinery, as well as a company created to sell Belarusian petroleum products within Russia. In addition, the package creates the possibility to prohibit transactions with listed refineries in Russia and in third countries which process or refine Russian crude oil and petroleum products. In that framework, the EU is imposing a transaction ban – entering into force in six months - on a Georgian refinery trading and processing Russian oil in Kulevi. Furthermore, the EU added five oil traders to the entities subject to transaction ban for frustrating the prohibition on purchasing Russian crude oil and petroleum products. The EU is also exerting pressure on Russia’s critical infrastructure, as the Council decided to designate a key cross-border energy supplier and a prominent figure of the Russian Railways, as well as extend its transaction ban to two Russian ports and four Russian airports.   Today’s package introduces a notification obligation for the sales of LNG tankers and a possibility to introduce new restrictions on the sale of LNG tankers to Russian citizens and companies and introduces other contractual obligations to mitigate the risk of reselling to Russia or for use in Russia. The EU is also targeting other means of Russia’s revenue generation by designating 7 major actors in the gold sector, one of the most important diamond companies, as well as several entities active in the mining and metallurgy sectors. Russia’s military industrial complex To constrain Russia’s ability to wage war and carry out strikes, most notably through the use of long-range drones, today’s package introduces 56 individual listings of persons and companies involved in the Russian Military Industrial Complex. These include 37 listings directly linked to long-range drones, targeting their production and supply chain. The Council also added 51 new entities to the list of those subject to tighter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies, due to their support for Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Some of these entities are located in third countries (China, including Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates) and contribute to Russia’s circumvention of export restrictions, including on microelectronics, computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools and equipment for semiconductor processing. Banning Russian combatants from the EU The package introduces the basis for a comprehensive visa ban for combatants and ex-combatants of the Russian armed forces and other proxy groups, participating in the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. This confirms Member States’ political and legal commitment to tackling this threat. The Council will decide when the ban is to enter into force. Trade The EU has agreed to expand the existing export ban to include items and technologies used by Russia's military industry, such as nickel powders, metal and alloys used in corrosion-resistant coatings in jet engines; beryllium powders used in propellants and in high performance alloys; self-adhesive films, tapes and strips used in the aerospace and defence sectors; aviation items specific to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as ground support equipment, jamming/interception systems, launch systems and servomotors, and flight termination systems for drones and missiles. In addition, the EU has introduced further restrictions on the import of goods that generate significant revenues for Russia (worth over €60 million), such as copper ores, nickel ores, lead ores, precious-metal ores, unwrought zinc, alkaline-earth metals, zinc oxides, chromium oxides, glassware, imitation pearls and car parts. Today’s package also includes measures on Belarus intended to mirror those imposed on Russia, in particular trade measures (import bans on goods generating significant revenue for Belarus as well as export restrictions related to the military industry) and legal protection. Russia’s war propaganda machine The EU is designating 8 individuals for spreading Russia’s war propaganda and contributing to its manipulative war narrative on Ukraine. War crimes Under this package, the EU is designating a Major General and war criminal, who has engaged in the torture, executions, and desecration of bodies of Ukrainian military personnel, including prisoners of war. This listing comes in addition to further designations under Russia’s Human Rights regime, adopted on 13 July.   Other measures The EU is strengthening the legal protection for EU operators in litigations stemming from EU restrictive measures by allowing EU courts and member states not to recognise or enforce any court decision that was obtained in legal proceedings lodged in Russian courts. The relevant legal acts will shortly be published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background In its conclusions of 18 June 2026, the European Council reaffirmed its continued firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. The European Council also stated that the EU remains determined to further increase pressure on Russia and continue weakening Russia’s war economy so that it stops its brutal war of aggression and engages in meaningful negotiations towards peace. It reiterated the importance of further reducing Russia’s energy revenues, curbing its shadow fleet operations and further constraining its banking system, and called for the swift adoption of the 21st sanctions package. The European Council supports diplomatic efforts to bring Russia’s war of aggression to an end and underlines the EU’s readiness to step up its engagement in that context, in accordance with the EU’s aim to promote peace, as enshrined in the Treaties. Europe has a key role to play in a future settlement and stands ready to defend its interests. Next to this package, on 13 July the Council adopted a number of further restrictive measures addressing the Human Rights situation in Russia, the mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as cyberattacks linked to Russia. European Council conclusions, 18 June 2026 Russia's war against Ukraine: EU sanctions (background information) Russia's war against Ukraine (background information)   Visit the website

Press material Thursday, 23 July 2026

● Council of the EU   23/07/2026 20:54 | Press release | Sahel: Council appoints a new EU Special Representative for the region   The Council today appointed Ms. Birgitte Nygaard Markussen as the new European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel region. She will take up her duties on 1 September 2026 for an initial mandate of 12 months, until 31 August 2027. She succeeds João Cravinho, who has served as the EUSR for the Sahel since November 2024. The EUSR for the Sahel will support the High Representative in implementing the 2025 EU's renewed approach to the region and contribute to promoting lasting peace, security, stability, and sustainable development across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger and the broader region. The EUSR leads the EU's political dialogue with partners in the Sahel and contributes to the coherence, coordination and visibility of the EU's political, security and development engagement. The EUSR also works closely with the governments of the Sahel, neighbouring countries, regional organisations, the United Nations, the African Union and other international partners to advance the EU's objectives, support conflict prevention and resolution, and strengthen regional cooperation in addressing the complex security, humanitarian and governance challenges facing the region. Ms. Markussen is a Danish diplomat with extensive experience in African affairs and EU external relations, both at Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Currently, she serves as Denmark's Special Envoy to the Sahel and Great Lakes. Between 2016 and 2023, she held several senior positions within the EEAS, most notably as Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union and EU Ambassador to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Previously, she served as Denmark’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and the Central Africa Republic, as well as Director for Africa at Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Background EU Special Representatives promote the EU's policies and interests in certain regions and countries as well as issues of particular concern or interest for the EU. They play an active role in efforts to consolidate reforms, stability and the rule of law. The first EU Special Representatives were appointed in 1996. Currently, eleven EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. CV EU Special Representatives (EEAS website)   Visit the website

Press material Friday, 24 July 2026

● Council of the EU   24/07/2026 14:32 | Press release | Iran: Council sanctions an additional six individuals over serious human rights violations   The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional six individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, in line with the Union’s principled position. The Council is notably listing five judges of Iran regional Revolutionary courts who have presided over trials targeting religious minorities and political dissidents, including the Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi, on the basis of vaguely defined national security and religious charges. In those instances, they have imposed death sentences and long prison sentences, flogging, fines or supplementary punishments on political dissidents and human rights activists, including in connection with the 2022 ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. In addition, the Council is targeting Nima Salehi an Iranian hacker and computer engineer, who is the founder and a leading figure within the ‘Ashiyane’ cyber group. Ashiyane Digital Security cooperates closely with the EU-listed Cyber Police (FATA) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is responsible for intensive cyber-attacks on both domestic opponents and reformists and foreign institutions, thereby assisting the regime’s crackdown against the opposition. With today’s decision, restrictive measures related to human rights violations in Iran now apply to a total of 269 individuals and 53 entities. They consist of an asset freeze, travel bans to the EU, and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed. A ban on exports to Iran of equipment that might be used for internal repression, including equipment for monitoring telecommunications, is also in place. The EU strongly supports the fundamental aspirations of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected, protected and fulfilled. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background In 2011 the EU introduced a regime consisting of restrictive measures that have been renewed annually since and last extended until April 2027. Since 2022, the EU has drastically increased restrictive measures, adopting multiple packages of sanctions in the context of growing concerns about serious human rights abuses and violations in Iran. In its conclusions of 18 and 19 June 2026, the European Council called on the Iranian regime to cease the violence and repression against its own people. It called for the respect of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the right to choose their own future. In this regard, it stated that the European Union will continue to work on further restrictive measures against those responsible. Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1850 of 24 July 2026 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1851 of 24 July 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran Council Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran (Consolidated text 1 April 2026) European Council conclusions, 18 and 19 June 2026 EU sanctions against Iran (background information)   Visit the website