Presented as “one of its strongest sanctions packages against Russia”, the European Union (“EU”)’s 18th package against Russia was officially published on July 19, 2025, along with mirror amendments to the Belarus sanctions...more
The EU’s 16th sanctions package on Russia represents a significant expansion of measures, including additional restrictions on Russian banks, further oil and gas related restrictions, and new export and import restrictions. ...more
Recent geopolitical events have prompted further changes in the European Union (EU) and UK sanctions regimes against Russia, Belarus and Syria....more
On February 24, 2025, the EU adopted its 16th package of sanctions against Russia, Belarus and non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine, symbolically marking the third anniversary of the start of Russia’s invasion of...more
On 24 February 2025, marking the third year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (“EU”) adopted the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, correspondingly aligned sanctions targeting Belarus, and...more
The 16th package of European economic sanctions adopted and published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter the “EU”) on 24 February 2025 came into force on 25 February 2025. This 16th package of...more
What’s New? The European Union and the United Kingdom remain committed “to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin” by way of imposing further sanctions as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine enters the fourth year. Within a...more
On 24 June 2024, the European Union (EU) implemented its 14th package of sanctions against Russia to combat its continued aggression against Ukraine. A notable addition was made to Article 8a of Council Regulation (EU) No...more
On 24 June 2024, the European Union (EU) implemented its 14th package of sanctions against Russia to combat its continued aggression against Ukraine. The package introduced new anti-circumvention measures to strengthen...more
I. US SANCTIONS - U.S. Department of the Treasury Designates Russian Construction Director and Issues Russia-Related General Licenses: On December 18, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control...more
On December 16, 2024, the EU issued its 15th package of sanctions against Russia, new designations under the Belarus sanctions regime, and the first designations under the hybrid threats sanctions regime adopted in October...more
I. US SANCTIONS - US Department of the Treasury Acts to Curtail Russia’s Use of the International Finance System: On November 21, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated...more
With the introduction of the 14th sanctions package, entities established in the European Union are required to ‘undertake their best efforts to ensure’ that non-EU subsidiaries they own or control do not undermine EU...more
On 22 November 2024, the European Commission (the “Commission”) issued new frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the interpretation of the “Best Efforts” obligation in Article 8a of Council Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014...more
As part of the sanctions packages adopted against Russia and Belarus in the summer of 2024, the European Union (“EU”) introduced novel “best efforts” requirements, which seek to "hamper sanctions circumvention", by "keeping...more
Sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union against Russia, China, and other parts of the world are fast-evolving. Such geopolitical shifts are creating new risks and placing further...more
The European Union's latest sanctions packages in relation to Russia and Belarus impose novel obligations on EU companies with respect to their foreign subsidiaries' operations....more
The European Union has again amended its sanctions against Russia and Belarus by adopting further legal acts, which put additional compliance obligations on EU companies. In particular, businesses will now have to undertake...more
Following the adoption of its 14th sanctions package against Russia, the European Union ("EU") extended the scope of its sanctions against Belarus with a view to "mirroring several of the restrictive measures already in place...more
On 22 February 2024, shortly before the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK government published its first sanctions strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy explains the UK’s use and implementation of...more
On Friday, 6 October 2023 the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in the case of Mints v PJSC National Bank Trust & Anr [2023] EWCA Civ 1132. This judgment is significant and is a key, albeit non-binding, indicator of the UK...more
The U.S. government is turning up the dial on its efforts to combat evasion of export controls and sanctions against Russia. The severe trade restrictions against Russia (and Belarus) have seen continuous escalation since...more
On 23 June 2023, the European Commission adopted its 11th package of sanctions targeting Russia and Belarus. The new package focuses on tackling the circumvention of trade sanctions through third countries and increasing the...more
The centrality of international trade laws in the development and execution of U.S. foreign policy has never been more evident than in 2022. Companies that have not invested in international trade compliance programs are...more
On 24 February 2023, the U.S. intensified its sanctions on Russia and released new trade control measures targeting key sectors, evasion efforts, and military supplies. Taken together, the additional sanctions, export...more