BRUSSELS, Belgium — Despite a long and difficult birth, EU countries passed the bloc's 21st package of sanctions against Russia on July 23, and the measures that made it through show that the EU is not lacking in creativity when it comes to restricting Russia's war efforts. The EU published 218 new sanctioned entities in its July 23 announcement, the most in a single sanctions package since 2022. Several high-profile names did not make the final listing. Bulgaria blocked the addition of Patria

EU's 21st sanctions package targets 11 crypto platforms, nearly 90 Russian banks, and negotiates a $44.10 oil price cap freeze in escalating

The agency noted that the approval of these restrictions is complicated by "serious disagreements"