The timeline, marked by short intervals between new sanction packages, illustrates how rapidly sanctions can escalate.

1. Initial Sanctions and Crimea Response (2014-2017)

• 3 March 2014: EU prepares initial restrictive measures against Russia following the situation in Crimea.
• ‍17 March 2014: First set of sanctions imposed on 21 Russian and Ukrainian officials responsible for undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
• ‍20 March 2014: EU expands sanctions in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and cancels the EU-Russia summit.
• ‍July 2014: EU adopts economic sanctions targeting finance, energy, and defence sectors.
• ‍December 2017: Extension of sanctions for Russia's actions in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.

2. Escalation with the Ukraine Conflict (2018-2021)

• July 2018: New sanctions on entities involved in the construction of the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to Russia.
• ‍March 2021: Extension of sanctions targeting individuals and entities over the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
• ‍December 2021: Continued extensions of economic sanctions tied to Russia’s ongoing involvement in destabilising Ukraine.

3. Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine and Sanction Intensification (2022)

• 23 February 2022: EU imposes the 1st package of sanctions targeting 351 members of the Russian Duma, following Russia's recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

‍24 February 2022: Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• The 2nd package of sanctions includes asset freezes on President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov.
• ‍28 February 2022: 3rd package introduced, banning Russian Central Bank transactions and prohibiting Russian planes from EU airspace.
• ‍15 March 2022: The 4th package of sanctions bans investment in the Russian energy sector and further restricts trade.
• ‍8 April 2022: The 5th package introduces a ban on Russian coal imports, access to EU ports, and further trade restrictions.

4. Sectoral and Economic Measures (6th to 9th packages)

• 3 June 2022: The 6th package introduces a ban on Russian oil imports, further restricts exports of critical technologies, and imposes new sanctions on Russian banks.
• ‍21 July 2022:  'Maintenance and alignment' package to tighten existing economic sanctions targeting Russia, perfect their implementation and strengthen their effectiveness.
• ‍6 October 2022: The 8^th package expands sanctions to include a price cap on Russian oil, additional trade restrictions, and sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Russia's military.
• ‍16 December 2022: The 9^th package targets Russian industrial capabilities, bans drone engine exports, and includes sanctions on Russian propaganda outlets.

5. Further Sectoral Sanctions and Economic Measures (2023)

• 25 February 2023: The 10^th package targets Russian media and individuals supporting the invasion, and includes further restrictions on technology exports to Russia. ‍
• 23 June 2023: The 11th package strengthens cooperation with third countries to counter sanctions circumvention and further restricts transit of goods via Russia. ‍
• 18 December 2023: The 12th package expands sanctions to ban Russian diamonds, luxury goods, and introduces new export restrictions for dual-use technologies.

6. Advanced Sanctions on Circumvention and Economic Measures (2024)

• 23 February 2024: The 13th package imposes restrictions on entities supporting Russia’s military and economic infrastructure, and includes penalties for the deportation of Ukrainian children. ‍
• 24 June 2024: The 14th package expands to energy, finance, and trade sectors, including bans on LNG project investments and reloading services for Russian LNG on EU territory.
• 16 December 2024: The 15th package that includes 84 new listings, sanctions on Chinese drone and microchip suppliers, restrictions on 52 vessels, 32 entities from China, India, and Iran. Barring conflicting Russian court rulings, permitting limited cash releases for EU securities, extending Russia divestment deadlines.