EU Commission issues statements on US sanctions policies adopted in October 2026

23 October 2026

The EU Commission has issued 2 statements to the European Parliament on US sanctions policies adopted in October 2026.

The first concerns the US Executive Order which waived the Russia sanctions and tariffs required by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The Commission expressed that the waiver “is regrettable” and “impairs international pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine”.

The Commission said that it will continue to impose sanctions on Russia and that it is working to “put together” a 22^nd sanctions package to target sectors and entities that support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The second Commission statement concerned the US designation of the ICC under EO 14203. The Commission stated that the sanctions put the ICC “at risk” and that the Commission is ready to take “any necessary measures” to protect EU operators who engage with the ICC, so that they can continue to provide services to it despite the US sanctions. It calls on member states to use diplomatic efforts to reverse the sanctions during the 6-month period before they are due to come into force.