On 18 July 2025, the European Union adopted its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, including by amending Regulation (EU) 833/2014 and Regulation (EU) 269/2014. The EU also mirrored a number of measures and introduced additional designations in its Belarus sanctions by amending Regulation (EC) 265/2006. Adopted just two months after the 17th package, this latest round of measures reflects the EU’s continued strategic shift toward more dynamic, extraterritorial, and asset-specific sanctions and reinforces the…
On 21 July 2025, the UK government issued the General Trade Licence: Russia Sanctions – Sectoral Software and Technology (the “Sectoral Software Licence”) under Regulation 65 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the “UK Russia Regulations”). The Sectoral Software Licence came into force on 21 July 2025 and will expire on 20 October 2025. The Sectoral Software Licence authorises providers located in or operating from within the UK and UK persons to transfer…
At the Annual Compliance conference recently held in London, Baker McKenzie hosted a session on ‘The evolving national security, sanctions and export controls landscape’. This session introduced the concept of the “trade toolbox” — a growing set of measures designed to manage national security risks through trade and investment restrictions. Speakers highlighted the increasing complexity of global compliance, particularly in relation to business relating to China, Russia, and in the Middle East. China: outbound investment,…
As part of the Annual Compliance Conference webinar series, this session explored the evolving global sanctions landscape in relation to Russia, over three years since the first wave of sanctions following the outbreak of war in February 2022. The panel examined the current state of play, recent developments, and what may lie ahead for businesses navigating this complex environment. Sanctions developments:Speakers provided updates on the 17th EU sanctions package (May 2025), including measures targeting the…