European Union diplomats are finalising the draft of the bloc’s 21st sanctions package against Russia, with the most stringent measures removed from an earlier version, according to a report by Russian media outlet Lenta.ru.
The current work is focused on reaching a compromise on energy restrictions and the visa block after the most radical provisions were taken out, the report said. In place of a total ban on entry for former Russian military personnel, diplomats are now agreeing on a narrower restriction that would apply exclusively to short-term visas for direct participants of the war in Ukraine.
The revised draft also expands exceptions for entry or transit on humanitarian grounds, provided the visa is valid only within the issuing member state, according to the report.
####Energy provisions under debate
Separately, discussions continue over energy-related measures. Greece is pushing to reduce the duration of the oil price cap to three months and to fully preserve the ability to transport Russian liquefied natural gas onward through EU infrastructure, Lenta.ru reported.
The initial version of the 21st package contained tougher provisions, but several member states pushed back, leading to the softening of key restrictions, the report said.
The draft is being prepared for review by EU foreign ministers.
[Lenta.ru reported](https://lenta.ru/news/2026/07/10/ek-otkazalas-ot-naibolee-zhestkih-polozheniy-vnutri-21-go-paketa-antirossiyskih-sanktsiy/) that the package is expected to be transmitted to the foreign ministers’ meeting for final approval.
