EU member states on Thursday agreed on a 14th package of sanctions against Russia which includes new targeted measures and a ban on re-exports of Russian LNG in EU waters, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU said.

“EU Ambassadors just agreed on a powerful and substantial 14th package of sanctions in reaction to the Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the Presidency said on X. “This package provides new targeted measures and maximises the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes.”

The ban on trans-shipments is the first restriction the bloc has applied to LNG. However, companies from the member states can continue to buy Russian LNG for the European market.

The new EU sanctions intend to curb that lucrative business and limit Russia's ability to raise funding for its war on Ukraine.

Member states agreed on stricter measures also to crack down on circumvention and close loopholes left open in the 13 previous packages of sanctions,