The EU has approved a new, 16th package of sanctions against Russia

Raw aluminum accounts for 85% of total aluminum imports from Russia to the EU. Earlier, the EU banned imports of Russian aluminum wire, foil, and pipes. Russian aluminum imports have already been banned in the United States and Britain.

In recent years, the share of Russian aluminum exported to the EU has been declining: in 2022 it was 19%, in 2023 - 11%, in 2024 - 6% in the first nine months of the year. Last year during this period, the EU imported 2.2 million tons of Russian aluminum. Supplies from Russia were offset by purchases in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia. Russian aluminum began to be exported more to China, the world leader in its consumption.

The sanctions will ban the sale of game consoles, joysticks, flight simulators, chrome and a number of chemicals in Russia, while 48 more individuals and 35 legal entities will be added to the sanctions lists. Maintenance of gas and oil refineries will also be banned.