EU ambassadors discussed the 21st round of Russia sanctions on Wednesday, 24 June, with a proposed ban on Russian fish imports and the blacklisting of patriarch Kirill emerging as the most contentious items. Four unnamed member states are blocking the fish ban, but EU data reveals Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Poland were the top importers of Russian fish meat in 2025, collectively accounting for hundreds of millions of euros. German imports of fresh, chilled, or frozen Russian fish rose 82% since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while French imports increased 75%, mainly driven by cod and Alaska pollack used in processed foods.