EU Council extends economic restrictive measures for a further 6 months
The Council renewed the EU restrictive measures in view of the Russian Federation’s continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further 6 months, until 31 January 2026. These economic measures, first introduced in 2014, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal military aggression against Ukraine. They currently consist of a broad spectrum of sectoral measures, including restrictions on trade, finance, energy, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport and luxury goods. They also cover: a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, a de-SWIFTing of several Russian banks and the suspension of the broadcasting activities and licenses in the European Union of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. Additionally, specific measures enable the EU to counter sanctions circumvention. As long as the illegal actions by the Russian Federation continue to violate fundamental rules of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures imposed by the EU and to take additional measures, if necessary. Source
EU renews restrictive measures until 23 June 2026
The Council decided to renew the sanctions introduced by the EU in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, until 23 June 2026. The restrictive measures currently in place were first introduced in June 2014, and include prohibitions targeting the imports of products originating from the illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU, and infrastructural or financial investments and tourism services from the illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol. Furthermore, the exports of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in illegally annexed Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors or for the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources are also subject to EU restrictions. The EU does not recognize and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law. Since 2022, Russia has further violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression, and dedicated to fully implementing its non-recognition policy. Source
Finnish Customs Investigation Into Suspected Electronics Exports To Russia
A Finnish company once dealing in wooden art and tourism is under investigation for exporting sensitive electronic components to Russia, in suspected violation of EU sanctions. Finnish Customs announced that the company, based in North Karelia, allegedly supplied semiconductors, microchips, processors and connectors worth €2.7 million to Russia during 2022 and 2023. Authorities say the company had no prior export activity before the war began. It previously operated in the wooden art and tourism sectors, with no link to electronics. Customs officials believe the firm acquired components from the United States, EU, China, and other regions. The goods were then routed to companies in the EU and Hong Kong, with some consignments reaching Russia directly or via Finland.
OFAC Amends Russia General License 55 Relating to the Sakhalin-2 Oil and Gas Project
On June 18, 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Russia-related General License (GL) 55D, “Authorizing Certain Services Related to Sakhalin-2.” This general license authorizes certain services that would otherwise be prohibited under OFAC’s Russia sanctions program related to Sakhalin-2 involving the maritime transport of crude oil originating from this oil and gas development on Sakhalin Island, Russia. Originally issued in November 2022, the general license authorized: (i) maritime transport of such crude oil originating from the Sakhalin-2 project, provided that the Sakalin-2 byproduct is solely for importation into Japan; and (ii) certain transactions involving Gazprombank Joint Stock Company (Gazprombank) that are related to the Sakhalin-2 project. Revised GL 55D extends such authorizations until December 19, 2025. Certain transactions under each of the general license remain unauthorized and therefore requires close analysis.
The Russian government has imposed sanctions against the German automaker Daimler Truck
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on the inclusion of the German automaker Daimler Truck in the list of companies against which Russia imposes economic sanctions. The document was published on June 30 on the official Internet portal of legal information.
UK sanctions guidance for non-UK businesses operating outside the UK
This guidance is produced by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to help businesses in third countries (not in the UK or Russia) that are seeking to avoid circumvention of UK sanctions. This guidance is general, so you should also refer to the relevant up-to-date legislation. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guidance, it does not constitute legal advice and cannot be relied upon as such. If you are unsure about your obligations in any given case, you should take independent legal advice. The UK and its international partners have implemented sanctions on an unprecedented scale in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The UK has designated over 2,000 individuals and entities and has imposed wide-ranging restrictions on trade and economic activities involving Russia.
UK sanctions aim to:
- encourage Russia to cease activity which destabilises Ukraine or undermines its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence; and
- promote the payment of compensation by Russia for damage, loss or injury suffered by Ukraine since February 2022 as a result of Russia’s invasion
The UK government will keep these sanctions in place until these objectives have been achieved.
Who must comply with UK sanctions
UK sanctions are instruments of UK law. The UK does not take civil or criminal enforcement action in relation to breaches of UK sanctions against persons outside the UK unless they are:
- UK nationals, for example among the staff or directors of a non-UK business
- UK-incorporated companies, including their unincorporated overseas branches. Subsidiaries incorporated outside the UK are generally outside UK jurisdiction except if either of the following points are applicable to their activities:
- conducting any part of their business in the UK, for example travelling to the UK to negotiate or sign a contract with a supplier
- buying services such as insurance, banking, clearing or legal services on UK markets but using them overseas. Source
United Nations Security Council Renews Democratic Republic of Congo Sanctions Regime
The Security Council renewed the sanctions regime concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo until 1 July 2026 and extended the mandate of the corresponding Group of Experts until 1 August 2026. Unanimously adopting resolution 2783 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2783(2025)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council decided to renew measures relating to arms, finances and travel relating to the Democratic Republic of the Congo until 1 July 2026. The representative of France, whose delegation submitted the text, thanked all Council members for their engagement and said the sanctions regime and Group of Experts are central tools in combating violence and destabilization in the eastern part of the country. He noted the 27 June Council meeting, during which Council members marked the signing of a draft peace agreement by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, under the auspice of the United States Government. “What we are doing shows that improvement in the Great Lakes region can occur,” he said. “We must do all that we can to support peace and security in the region.” The resolution reiterated that the armed and security forces of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are exempt from the embargo on the supply of military equipment and assistance, as agreed on 2 May 2024, and from any notification procedure, as set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the resolution. By other terms of the text, the Council decided to extend until 1 August 2026 the mandate of the Group of Experts, as set forth in paragraph 6 of resolution 2360 (2017), and expressed its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding further extension no later than 1 July 2026. It also requests the Group of Experts to provide the Council, after discussion with the Committee, a mid-term report no later than 30 December 2025 and a final report not later than 15 June 2026, as well as monthly updates. Source
United States: Treasury Implements President’s Termination of Syria Sanctions
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action to implement President Trump’s historic Executive Order (E.O.) of June 30, 2025, “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions,” removing U.S. sanctions on Syria in support of the Syrian people and their new government as they rebuild their country and have the opportunity to become a stable and prosperous nation at peace with itself and its neighbors. Today’s E.O. revokes the Executive orders that previously placed comprehensive sanctions on Syria. The E.O. also ensures continued accountability for the Bashar al-Assad regime, expanding the national emergency declared in E.O. 13894 to allow for the continuation of sanctions against Bashar al-Assad, his associates, and other destabilizing regional actors. Source
United States: President Donald J. Trump Provides for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions
President Donald J. Trump signed a historic Executive Order terminating the Syria sanctions program to support the country’s path to stability and peace.
- The Order removes sanctions on Syria while maintaining sanctions on Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS or its affiliates, and Iranian proxies.The Order directs the Secretary of State to evaluate suspending sanctions, either in whole or in part if specific criteria are met, under the Caesar Act, a law that sanctions the Assad regime for atrocities.
- The Order permits the relaxation of export controls on certain goods and waives restrictions on certain foreign assistance to Syria.
- The Order directs the Secretary of State to review Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
- The Order directs the Secretary of State to review HTS and Ahmed al-Sharaa’s designations as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
- The Order directs the Secretary of State to review Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
- The Order directs the Secretary of State to explore avenues for sanctions relief at the United Nations to support stability in Syria. Source
United States: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba
President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) to strengthen the policy of the United States toward Cuba.
- This NSPM restores and strengthens the robust Cuba policy from the President’s first term, reversing the Biden Administration’s revocation that eased pressure on the Cuban regime.
- The NSPM ends economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people.
- Direct or indirect financial transactions with entities controlled by the Cuban military, such as Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), and its affiliates are prohibited, with exceptions for transactions that advance U.S. policy goals or support the Cuban people.
- It enforces the statutory ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba and ensures compliance through regular audits and mandatory record-keeping of all travel-related ransactions for at least five years.
- The NSPM supports the economic embargo of Cuba and opposes calls in the United Nations and other international forums for its termination.
- The NSPM amplifies efforts to support the Cuban people through the expansion of internet services, free press, free enterprise, free association, and lawful travel.
- It ensures the “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” policy remains terminated to discourage dangerous, unlawful migration.
- The NSPM ensures that engagement between the United States and Cuba advances the interests of the United States and the Cuban people, including through promoting human rights, fostering a private sector independent of government control, and enhancing national security.
- The NSPM mandates a review of human rights abuses in Cuba, including unlawful detentions and inhumane treatment, and requires a report on fugitives from American justice living in Cuba or being harbored by the Cuban government. Source