Photo: spitamenbank.tj
The European Union’s 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions includes two banks from Kyrgyzstan and three from Tajikistan, according to a document published in the EU’s Official Journal.
The Kyrgyz banks Tolubay and Eurasian Savings Bank, as well as the Tajik banks Dushanbe City Bank, Spitamen, and Commercial Bank of Tajikistan, have been added to the sanctions list. The restrictions, which include a ban on transactions with these institutions, will take effect on November 12, 2025.
The EU document states that the inclusion of five financial institutions from third countries was justified, as they fall under the prohibition on business transactions. The restrictions apply to three types of organizations: subsidiaries of Russian credit or financial institutions in third countries; major regional banks closely linked to the Russian financial system; and banks processing significant cross-border payments that contribute to strengthening the Russian economy and industry.
In total, the EU’s 19th sanctions package lists over 40 legal entities, about half of which are non-Russian. Among them is VTB Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of Russia’s VTB Bank, as well as 12 companies from China. Seven of these operate in logistics, trade, and supply chain management; three specialize in electronics and component supply; and two in machine tool manufacturing and precision engineering.
Earlier this year, the United States imposed sanctions on Kyrgyzstan’s Keremet Bank, suspecting it of helping Russia circumvent sanctions.
