EU Imposes Sanctions on Banks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan for Cooperation with Russia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As part of its 19th sanctions package against Russia, the European Union has imposed restrictions on financial transactions with several banks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the European Commission said in a statement.

The sanctions target the Kazakh branch of Russian bank VTB, Kyrgyz banks Tolubay and Eurasian Savings Bank, as well as Tajik financial institutions Dushanbe City Bank, Spitamen, and Kommerzbank.

In addition, the sanctions list includes branches of VTB, Sberbank, and Alfa-Bank in Belarus, as well as Belarusian banks BelVEB and Belgazprombank. The restrictions also affect the Payeer payment system.

The sanctions will come into force in November and December 2025.

The new package also provides for a gradual ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas by 2027, blacklisting 117 tankers of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, and a complete ban on transactions with Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.

Furthermore, the EU has imposed restrictions on 45 organizations alleged by Brussels to facilitate sanctions evasion, including 12 companies registered in China and Hong Kong.