On 25 October 2018, the European parliament passed a non-binding resolution expressing its concerns over Russia’s actions in the Sea of Azov, in particular the construction of the Kerch Bridge and inspections of ships going through the Kerch Straight (actions that the Parliament suggests are in breach of international maritime law and Russia’s international commitments). The Resolution welcomes the Council’s decision to impose sanctions on six companies involved in the construction of the bridge, and…
The European Commission has started the process by which it would add US sanctions measures on Iran to the so-called Blocking Regulation (formerly Regulation 2271/96). This is in direct response to the US President’s withdrawal of his waiver relating to the JCPOA. The effect of the withdrawal was to reintroduce US sanctions that were in force prior to the JCPOA. US sanctions on Iran not only impact US companies and persons, but can, in certain…
The Russian government is preparing to introduce new counter-measures in response to US and EU sanctions. Draft Bill on Russian Countermeasures Last week the State Duma decided to amend Draft Bill No. 441399-7 “On Measures (Countermeasures) in Response to Unfriendly Actions of the USA and (or) other Foreign States” (“Draft on Countermeasures”). As opposed to the initial version of the Draft on Countermeasures, the new version proposes the following five measures: Termination or suspension of international cooperation…
On Friday 2nd September, Boris Johnson, the UK Foreign Secretary, indicated that the UK will continue to support the EU sanctions regime against Russia, stating that “events in Ukraine are still very worrying, and it’s important I think that we continue to keep pressure up on Russia and we see progress based on the Minsk Agreement. There can be no relaxation of that pressure until such time as we see the Minsk Agreement being advanced“.