Export Control and Sanctions update: EU and UK impose sanctions on Russia

• United Kingdom

• Competition, EU and Trade - Export controls and sanctions
• Transport

19-03-2014

On 20 February 2014, the EU announced travel bans and asset freezes for those involved in the Ukraine violence. As a result, it published Decision 2014/119/CFSP and Regulation 208/2014 on 5 March 2014 which imposes sanctions against “certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine” – please see our article here.

On 17 March 2014, the EU added to this by adopting Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Regulation 269/2014 “concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”; this includes a list of designated persons subject to travel bans and asset freezes (which duplicates the asset freezes of a large number of persons included in Regulation 208/2014).

The UK has unilaterally suspended licences for exports of military and dual-use items to third countries where the exported goods may be incorporated into equipment to be exported to Russia for use against Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary has urged other EU Member States to do the same. This follows promises from the Foreign Secretary that if Russia continues to act in this current vein, that there are to be increasingly far reaching sanctions against the State. Therefore, the statements from the UK Government set out that further sanctions are being looked at.

Businesses should be aware of who the designated persons are and ensure that they are not dealing with any of these people or companies controlled by them. A list of designated persons can be found here.

For more information on this area please contact our Export Control and Sanctions team on the details below.