By: Michael Ruck, Rosie Naylor, Petr Bartos, and Laura Scott
On 15 May 2025, the UK government published a policy paper summarising findings from a cross-government review of sanctions implementation and enforcement. The aim of the review was to identify further steps to improve and facilitate compliance, increase and harness deterrence, and invigorate the cross-government toolkit.
Read MoreBy: Jeffrey Orenstein, Guillermo Christensen, Steven Hill, David Allman, Nate Bolin, and Brian Hopkins
On 23 May 2025, the United States provided broad sanctions relief to Syria and the new Government of Syria under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. While speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, President Trump announced his intentions to lift sanctions on Syria, stating that sanctions relief will “give them a chance at greatness.”
By: Michael Ruck, Rosie Naylor, and Laura Scott
In its first-ever threat assessment of the UK legal sector, the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has highlighted key findings surrounding suspected sanctions breaches involving UK legal services providers since February 2022 (the Assessment).
Read MoreBy: Steven F. Hill, Guillermo S. Christensen, Jeff Orenstein, and Brian J. Hopkins
On 24 March 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported into the United States from any country that imports Venezuelan oil directly or indirectly through third parties. Effective on or after 2 April 2025, the tariff is in response to alleged actions of Venezuela’s Maduro government, in particular sending members of the Tren de Aragua gang (designated a foreign terrorist organization) and other criminals into the United States and its involvement in kidnapping and violent attacks including the assassination of a Venezuelan opposition figure.
Read MoreBy: Laura Scott, Petr Bartos, and Michael Ruck
On 24 February 2025, the European Union adopted the 16th Russia sanctions package.
Read MoreBy: Michael E. Ruck, Petr Bartoš, and Helen J. Phizackerley
On 24 June 2024, the European Union (EU) implemented its 14th package of sanctions against Russia to combat its continued aggression against Ukraine. A notable addition was made to Article 8a of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, which introduced the requirement that EU operators “undertake their best efforts to ensure that any legal person, entity or body established outside the Union that they own or control does not participate in activities that undermine the restrictive measures provided for in [the] Regulation.” A similar clause has also been included in the Belarus sanctions framework.
Read MoreBy: Nate Bolin, Jeffrey Orenstein, Myeong Park, and Brian Hopkins
On 10 January 2025, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a package of new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. In an effort to curtail Russia’s oil revenue and ability to evade US sanctions, OFAC issued: (1) a Determination authorizing sanctions on parties operating in Russia’s energy sector; (2) a Determination banning US petroleum services to Russia; and (3) blocking sanctions against oil and gas majors, vessels in the so-called “shadow fleet,” certain traders of Russian oil, Russian maritime insurers, and Russian oilfield service providers.
Read MoreBy: Michael Ruck, Petr Bartoš, and Helen Phizackerley
On 24 September 2024, the G7 released updated guidance on the prevention of evasion of export controls and sanctions imposed on Russia.
This blog provides an overview of the guidance and the firm’s top tips for sanctions compliance and preventing sanctions evasion:
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