EU Sanctions Archives

EU Establishes New Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to Russia’s Destabilizing Actions

October 15, 2024 By Anahita Thoms (Germany), Dr. Alexander Ehrle (Germany), Kimberley Fischer (Germany) and Caroline Walka (Germany) 4 Mins Read

In a significant move to counter Russia’s destabilizing actions abroad, the Council of the EU has enacted Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 on 8 October 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s hybrid, destabilizing activities (“EU Russia Destabilization Sanctions”). The new sanctions framework aims at targeting individuals and entities involved in hybrid activities that undermine the fundamental values and security of the EU, its member states, and international organizations. The decision, proposed by Josep Borrell, the High…

Russia Sanctions: Recent Developments and Implications for the Middle East

August 12, 2024 By Ben Smith (UK), Terence Gilroy (USA), Kimberley Fischer (Germany), Samir Safar-Aly (UAE), Julian Godfray (UK) and Tristan Grimmer (UK) 2 Mins Read

The Middle East is an increasingly important jurisdiction for Western governments from a Russia sanctions foreign policy perspective, as there is a perception that increased trade flows between the Middle East and Russia means that Western sanctions are effectively being circumvented. Companies in the Middle East may have concerns about triggering EU / UK / US sanctions jurisdiction, or being directly designated by Western governments for engaging in activities deemed to be contrary to the…

EU Adopts New Belarus Sanctions Package

July 8, 2024 By Ben Smith (UK) and Emily Thomson (UK) 8 Mins Read

On 29 June 2024, the EU adopted a new Belarus sanctions package by amending Council Regulation (EU) 765/2006 (the “EU Belarus Sanctions“), effective from 1 July 2024. The amending regulation can be found here. The new package increases the alignment of the EU Belarus Sanctions with the EU’s sanctions against Russia (including those contained in Regulation (EU) 833/2014 (the “EU Russia Sanctions“), as recently updated), in order to address the risk of circumvention. The new…

EU Adopts 14th Russia Sanctions Package

June 28, 2024 By Ben Smith (UK), Paul Amberg (Spain), Kimberley Fischer (Germany), Samuel Ashford (UK), Esmee Kooke (Netherlands) and Sunny Mann (UK) 8 Mins Read

On June 24, 2024, the EU adopted its 14th Russia sanctions package, including by amending Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014 (the “EU Russia Sanctions”), effective from June 25, 2024. The amending regulation is accessible here. The 14th package introduced several additional restrictions across different sectors, including: The strengthening of measures designed to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions is likely to be particularly wide-ranging, impacting businesses outside Russia with indirect exposure to Russia and placing certain…