EU Russia Sanctions

CJEU Confirms Freezing of Trust-Held Assets Under EU Russia Sanctions

On 21 May 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union confirmed that freezing assets held through trust structures can be compatible with EU Russia sanctions where listed persons retain effective power or influence over those assets. This judgment materially tightens expectations for banks, trustees and other intermediaries on tracing beneficial ownership and control, raising enforcement risk for attempts to circumvent EU restrictive measures via complex legal structures.

23 May 2026, 09:10curia.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Updates Russia Sanctions Guidance To Reflect 2026 Regulation Amendments

The UK has updated its Russia sanctions statutory guidance to incorporate broad new trade, energy, nuclear and services restrictions introduced by the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, effective from 20 May 2026. These changes tighten controls on Russian-related uranium, LNG, processed oil products, specified ships and construction services, significantly raising compliance and enforcement risks for companies exposed to Russian-connected supply chains, shipping and advanced technology sectors and requiring rapid review of contracts, counterparties and licensing needs.

21 May 2026, 06:51gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Norway To Align With EU 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia

Norway has confirmed that it will align with the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia and is now working to transpose the new energy, trade, financial and crypto restrictions into Norwegian law. This will extend the EU’s tightened bans on chemicals, industrial products, shipping and crypto services to Norway, requiring Norway-linked businesses to strengthen sanctions screening, export controls and supply‑chain planning.

16 May 2026, 14:53regjeringen.noNorwayEuropean Union

EU Partner Countries Align With Decision 2026/504 on Ukraine Territorial Integrity Sanctions

Nine EU partner countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine, have aligned with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/504, which adds new listings and extended derogations under the EU’s Ukraine territorial integrity sanctions regime. This alignment extends the reach of EU Russia- and Ukraine-related sanctions across a wider set of European jurisdictions, so companies with operations or counterparties there must update screening, asset-freeze controls and sanctions-risk assessments to reflect the new listings, derogations and claims restrictions.

14 May 2026, 18:38consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionAlbaniaBosnia & HerzegovinaIcelandLiechtensteinMoldovaMontenegroNorth MacedoniaNorwayUkraine

European Commission Confirms EU 16th Sanctions Package Ban on Russian Primary Aluminium Imports

EU sanctions law now definitively bans imports of Russian primary aluminium from 26 February 2026, with only a small 50,000-tonne quota for pre-25 February 2025 contracts running to the end of 2026. This tightens supply conditions for unwrought aluminium and signals that importers and metal-intensive sectors must rapidly diversify away from Russian primary aluminium and plan for enduring sanctions risk in critical raw materials.

13 May 2026, 09:19eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Designates Euromore and Pravfond Under Russia Destabilising Activities Sanctions Regime

On 21 April 2026 the EU added two pro-Kremlin influence organisations, Euromore and Pravfond, to its Russia destabilising-activities sanctions regime, making asset-freeze and no-funds obligations on these entities immediately effective across the Union. This tightens sanctions exposure around Russian information operations, requiring EU businesses to screen counterparties and payment flows against the expanded list and signalling continued expansion of targeted hybrid-activities sanctions.

8 May 2026, 06:57eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Corrigendum Corrects CN Code and Listing Date in Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506 (Russia Sanctions)

In April 2026 the EU issued a corrigendum to Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506, clarifying the CN code reference and listing date in a specific provision of the Russia sanctions regime. This technical fix ensures that the intended steel product category and the correct designation date are captured in the law, so trade and sanctions teams relying on CN codes and listing dates should update their interpretations accordingly.

5 May 2026, 06:53eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Drafts Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 on Ukraine Sanctions

On 27 February 2026 the EU Council circulated a draft regulation to amend Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 on Ukraine-related sanctions, tightening vessel listing criteria while introducing narrowly framed derogations for cultural intermediaries, specific insurers, arbitration cost payments, and a time-limited oil-import reduction mechanism. If adopted, these changes would modestly rebalance the EU sanctions regime by easing certain operational bottlenecks and legal risks for EU entities while preserving pressure on Russian oil-related shipping and restricting avenues to challenge or circumvent sanctions in foreign courts.

30 Apr 2026, 06:24data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

US OFAC Unblocks Multiple SDN Designations Across Russia, Narcotics, Cyber, and Venezuela Programs

The US Treasury has delisted a significant number of entities and individuals from the Specially Designated Nationals List across the Russia, Venezuela, and narcotics sanctions programs. Organizations should refresh internal screening lists to permit lawful engagement while continuing to monitor for secondary sanctions or export control risks that may persist despite these removals.

9 Apr 2026, 14:40govinfo.govUnited States

EU Renews Ukraine Territorial-Integrity Sanctions and Sets Out Guidance on Payment Services

The European Union has extended the Ukraine territorial-integrity sanctions regime until September 15, 2026, while updating the list of designated persons and entities. Businesses must immediately refresh screening tools and implement enhanced due diligence to mitigate circumvention risks across supply chains and financial services.

5 Apr 2026, 05:29eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

US OFAC Issues Russia-Related General License 134A for Time-Limited Sale and Delivery of Russian-Origin Crude Oil

US OFAC has issued General License 134A, establishing a strict April 11, 2026, deadline to offload and sell Russian-origin oil loaded before March 12. Businesses must prioritize immediate logistical and financial closure for eligible shipments to mitigate the risk of stranded assets or sanctions enforcement.

5 Apr 2026, 05:28ofac.treasury.govUnited States

UK Extends General Trade Licence For Russia Sanctions – Sectoral Software And Technology

The UK has extended the general trade licence for business enterprise software and technology under Russia sanctions until 30 October 2026. This provides a critical compliance window for multinational firms to maintain software services for Russian subsidiaries while managing long-term operational shifts.

4 Apr 2026, 10:56assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK Updates Russia Sanctions General Trade Licence For Sectoral Business Enterprise Software And Technology

The UK has extended the General Trade Licence for business enterprise software under Russia sanctions, maintaining a compliance pathway through October 2026. Firms must strictly adhere to registration and legacy contract conditions to avoid individual licensing burdens while managing software access for Russian subsidiaries.

4 Apr 2026, 10:56assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Switzerland Updates Annex 8 Sanctions List Under Ukraine Measures Ordinance

Switzerland updated its Ukraine Sanctions Ordinance on April 1, 2026, expanding the Annex 8 list of designated persons and entities subject to asset freezes. Businesses must immediately refresh compliance screening and internal controls to mitigate the risk of prohibited transactions and ensure alignment with the latest Swiss sanctions regime.

4 Apr 2026, 10:32fedlex.admin.chSwitzerland

US BIS Renews Temporary Denial of Export Privileges for Aviastar-TU

The US has extended the denial of export privileges for Russian cargo airline Aviastar-TU through March 2027, continuing strict enforcement of aviation-related export controls. Businesses must maintain rigorous screening of logistics partners and supply chain transactions to avoid severe penalties and loss of export privileges under US trade regulations.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33govinfo.govUnited StatesRussia

Norway Implements EU 19th Sanctions Package Against Russia

Norway has formally adopted the EU’s 19th sanctions package, introducing immediate and phased restrictions on Russian LNG, chemicals, electronics, and industrial components. Businesses must urgently audit supply chains and update trade compliance screening to manage expanded export bans and new prohibitions on energy and technology services.

29 Mar 2026, 06:01regjeringen.noNorwayEuropean Union

US President Continues National Emergency on Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation (H. Doc. 119-143)

The United States has extended the national emergency regarding Russian foreign activities through April 2027, maintaining the legal authority for all current sanctions. This extension signals a continuation of the existing restrictive trade environment, requiring companies to maintain rigorous sanctions screening and supply chain due diligence.

28 Mar 2026, 20:26govinfo.govUnited States

EU Council Drafts Implementing Regulation To Add Nine Individuals To Ukraine Sanctions List

The EU Council proposed adding nine Russian military officers to the Ukraine sanctions list in March 2026 for alleged war crimes and human rights violations. Organizations must update restricted party screening protocols to mitigate legal and reputational risks associated with evolving conflict-related sanctions.

26 Mar 2026, 12:14data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Customs Updates VGEM Handbook Guidance on Opium Act and Sanctions Controls

Netherlands Customs has formalized stricter enforcement procedures for Opium Act substances and international sanctions within its updated VGEM Handbook. Companies must ensure rigorous declaration coding and permit validation to mitigate the increased risk of shipment holds, seizures, and regulatory escalation.

20 Mar 2026, 13:53kennisbank.douane.nlNetherlands

EU Commission Updates REPowerEU Gas Regulation Guidance On Prior Authorisation Of Gas Imports

The European Commission issued updated implementation guidance for the REPowerEU Gas Regulation, clarifying documentation and prior-authorisation requirements for non-Russian gas imports. Importers must establish robust country-of-origin verification to navigate phased bans starting March 2026 while leveraging administrative flexibilities to mitigate supply volatility.

19 Mar 2026, 19:39webgate.ec.europa.euEuropean Union