The European Parliament has approved 21 sanction packages against Russia after the war of aggression against Ukraine.
Foreign AffairsEuropean Union
- Error detected
- Institutional attribution error: the European Parliament does not approve sanctions — this power belongs exclusively to the Council of the European Union. The claim conflates the EP's political advocacy and consultative role with formal decision-making authority.
- Omissions
- The European Parliament does not have the legal competence to 'approve' sanctions packages — this is a Council of the EU function under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The EP is consulted and informed but does not vote to approve sanctions.
- The 21st sanctions package was formally adopted by the Council on 23 July 2026, more than a month after the MEP's statement on 17 June 2026, meaning only 20 full packages had been formally adopted at the time of the claim. A listing package was published on 15 June 2026, which may have led the MEP to count 21 packages already.
- The MEP, as a member of the S&D group which has consistently advocated for tough sanctions on Russia, may have rhetorically attributed the EU's collective sanctions effort to the European Parliament, which is his own institution and forum.
- Sources
- PrimaryCouncil of the European Union — Press ReleaseToday, the Council adopted the 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia in response to its war of aggression against Ukraine. The adoption date is 23 July 2026.
- PrimaryCouncil of the European Union — Sanctions TimelineThe timeline lists the 16th package adopted on 24 February 2025 and the 17th package agreed on 20 May 2025. The timeline confirms that sanctions packages are adopted by the Council, not the European Parliament.
- SecondaryEPRS — European Parliament Think TankSince Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, the European Parliament has been a vocal advocate of severe sanctions. This confirms the EP's role is advocacy, not formal approval of sanctions.
- SecondaryPayTechLawEU expands Russia sanctions lists and prepares 21st sanctions package. Listing package of 15 June 2026. 21st sanctions package (proposed). This distinguishes between a listing on 15 June and the still-proposed 21st package.