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EU Sanctions Against Russia: Full Guide (Updated)

Get a complete overview of EU sanctions against Russia, including the latest updates and a breakdown of each sanction's package. Date of last update 08.01.2024


Content

I Background

II EU Legislation

III EU Sanctions' Packages Explained

IV Restrictions on Individuals and Entities: Who is being sanctioned?

V Import & Export Sanctions on Russia

VI Guidance on Circumvention

VII Frequently Asked Questions

VIII Where to get support


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I Background


Since March 2014, the EU has been imposing sanctions on Moscow in response to its illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and its deliberate destabilization of Ukraine. On February 23, 2022, the EU tightened sanctions due to Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions being acknowledged as under non-government control and the Russian military receiving orders to invade those areas.


Following Russia's military aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the European Union resorted to massive expansion of sanctions against Russia to curtail its ability to wage war significantly. It aimed to deprive Russia of critical technologies and markets, weaken its economic base, and reduce its capability to wage war. The EU added many persons and organizations to the sanctions list and used unprecedented measures to harm Russia's economic base, deny it access to critical markets and technologies, and significantly reduce its ability to wage war.


Furthermore, Belarus' involvement in Russia's aggression against Ukraine has increased the EU's sanctions system against it. The system consists of many commercial, economic, and financial constraints in addition to the sanctions that Belarus previously faced.


II EU Legislation

All persons, groups, and organisations subject to EU jurisdiction are addressed by the relevant Council Regulations listed below, for whom they establish legal responsibilities.

  • Consolidated text of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 (Russia)

  • Consolidated text of Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (Ukraine territorial integrity)


III EU Sanctions' Packages Explained

The EU has sanctioned Russia by ever-expanding legislation - in so-called "packages". We explain what was introduced under each package.


IV Restrictions on Individuals and Entities: Who is being sanctioned?

The European Union has taken a stern stance and imposed restrictive measures against individuals and entities threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. These measures now apply to a massive count of almost 1800 individuals and entities. To identify the culprits, you can refer to our dedicated blog on sanctions against Russia which lists the individuals, entities, and organizations affected.

V Import & Export Sanctions on Russia

To exert pressure on the Russian economy, the sanctions are designed to limit trade activities and financial transactions between the EU, Russia and across specific industries. Discover all the economic sanctions imposed


SPECIAL: Import Ban on Iron and Steel:

VI Guidance on Circumvention against Russia

The EU has provided instructions for EU businesses, advising them to use more caution to prevent Russian sanctions evasion. Download it here.


VII Frequently Asked Questions on Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus


Latest Updates (date: 08.01.2027)

The European Commission has published over 500 FAQs to assist stakeholders in applying the sanctions packages.General guidelines - Consolidated version of the FAQs on sanctions against Russia and Belarus


VIII Where to get support

E-mail us at info@customsmanager.org or schedule an expert call


More information and links


EU sanctions map

The EU sanctions map provides comprehensive details of all EU sanctions regimes and their corresponding legal acts: https://www.customsmanager.info/post/eu-sanctions-map-our-use-guide-for-effective-company-implementation


Other resources


4-In-1 Support Services: How to get more support

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3. Customs & Global Trade Training & Education: https://www.customsmanager.org/education-training

4. Compliant & efficient UK Customs Clearance: https://www.customsmanager.org/customs-agent

 

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