EU Adopts 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia: New Financial and Energy Restrictions
On 23 July 2026, the Council adopted the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia, tightening restrictions across energy, financial services, crypto and the military-industrial complex. The package expands transaction bans to more than 100 Russian banks and to third-country banks and crypto platforms, adds 41 vessels to the shadow fleet list, and adjusts oil price cap and LNG measures. It also creates the legal basis for a visa ban on Russian combatants and introduces protections for EU operators against abusive retaliation lawsuits.
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Euro area annual inflation rises to 3.3% in August 2026
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Eurostat: Euro Area Construction Output Falls 1.3% in June 2026
Eurostat's first estimate shows seasonally adjusted production in construction fell by 1.3% in the euro area and 1.0% in the EU in June 2026, compared with May 2026. On an annual basis, euro area construction output declined by 0.7%, while EU output rose by 0.2%. Among Member States, Romania (+4.9%) and Sweden (+2.0%) recorded the strongest monthly gains, while Slovakia (-4.6%) and Hungary (-3.9%) saw the largest declines.
20 Aug 2026

