The European Commission has detailed its efforts to monitor and disrupt the use of non-EU hubs, such as Algeria, by Russian-linked shadow airlines that may be circumventing EU sanctions, while also considering strengthening the mandates of EU agencies to tackle sanctions evasion.
In a written answer on 15 July 2026 to a parliamentary question from MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE), Commissioner Albuquerque outlined the EU's anti-circumvention measures. The Commission is aware of Russian state-affiliated aircraft flying into third countries, and the EU Sanctions Envoy, David O'Sullivan, conducts diplomatic outreach to potential circumvention hubs to find mutually agreeable solutions. The EU has also imposed direct sanctions on third-country companies found to be circumventing sanctions, and EU operators must ensure sanctioned goods are not supplied to Russia via third parties, including through enhanced due diligence on Common High Priority items and 'no re-export to Russia' clauses in export contracts.
The answer confirms that EU agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) are already competent to deal with sanctions violations, and their role is recognised in the Directive on the criminalisation of the violation of EU sanctions. The Commission is considering extending the EPPO's competence to sanctions violations in the context of a possible revision of the EPPO Regulation, which may be proposed at the end of 2026. Additionally, the Commission has adopted a proposal to revise the Europol Regulation to enhance its support for Member States' investigations into criminal assets owned by sanctioned individuals and entities.
the Commission is reinforcing existing tools and considering institutional upgrades, but stops short of announcing new concrete measures or numerical targets. The expected institutional follow-up includes a possible EPPO Regulation revision by end of 2026 and ongoing diplomatic outreach by the Sanctions Envoy.