Sanctions and counter-sanctions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine
The past years have been marked by a number of sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as counter-measures from Russia. The situation changes frequently but the sanctions that have so far been issued by the EU and the US are intended to restrict access to Russia, its central bank and other financial institutions for financing, as well as to freeze assets and also to make travel difficult for Russian politicians and other high-ranking actors in Russia. Several restrictions on import and export trade have also been directed towards specific sectors or types of goods, which has affected inter alia the construction sector. Russia has responded with restrictions regarding e.g. profit payments and transfers of bank funds to citizens and entities in “unfriendly states”.
Below is a brief summary of the sanctions that may most closely affect Swedish companies. For a complete and fully updated compilation, contact one of our experts below.
This article was first published on February 25, 2022.
It has since been updated. Last update: March 13, 2024.
- EU sanctions (per March 13, 2024)
Since Russia’s invasion of Crimea and Sevastopol on 25 February 2014, Russia, the federal bank of Russia, Russian financial institutions and Russian individuals have been subject to sanctions.
- First Sanctions Package
On 21 February 2022, the EU decided to extend these sanctions in relation to five members of the Russian Duma. The sanctions against Russia have since been extended on 23 February by a decision of the Council. The new sanctions include:
- Sanctions against 27 high-ranking actors who are considered to have played a significant role in the conflict.
- Sanction against all 351 of the Russian parliament who voted to name Donetsk and Luhansk as separate states.
- Trade restrictions on the Donetisk and Luhansk regions, such as bans on imports and exports of goods in the regions, restrictions on trade and tourism.
- Restrictions on the availability of EU capital and financial services aimed at Russia and the federal bank of Russia.
Second Sanctions Package
At the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Europe on 24 February 2022, it was decided to include President Putin and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov, and members of the Security Council on the list of persons with frozen assets and travel bans and to impose additional sanctions.
The sanctions were published late on 25 February 2022 and include inter alia:
- extended prohibitions in relation to goods with a dual purpose, including the prohibition of providing services or financial arrangements in connection with such technology;
- a ban against accepting deposits exceeding EUR 100 000 from Russian natural or legal persons;
- bans on the provision of bonds, loans and credit arrangements to Russian banks and other financial institutions;
- bans on the sale of euro denominated transferable securities to any Russian; and
- additional restrictive measures in relation to inter alia, the defence, oil and space industries.
Third Sanctions Package
On 9 March 2022, the EU decided to once again extent the targeted sanctions involving travel bans, asset freeze and forbidding companies in the EU and EU citizens from making funds available to an additional 160 individuals, consisting of:
- 14 oligarchs and prominent businesspeople involved in key economic sections, for example agriculture, pharmaceutical and telecom, which provides a substantial source of revenue of the Russian Federation, and their family members; and
- 146 members of the Russian Federation Council, who ratified the government decision of the ‘Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Donetsk People’s Republic’ and the ‘Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Luhansk People’s Republic’.
In addition, the EU decided on 9 March 2022 on further restrictive measures regarding export of maritime navigation goods and technology to Russia. The further sanctions entail:
- Prohibition to sell, supply, transfer or export (directly or indirectly) certain listed goods and technology for maritime navigation to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia, for use in Russia or for placing on board of a Russian-flagged vessel;
- Prohibition to, directly or indirectly, provide technical assistance, brokering services or other services related to goods and technology for maritime navigation; and
- Prohibition to, directly or indirectly, provide financing or financial assistance related to the listed goods and technology for maritime navigation.
In addition to this, the EU further decided on sanctions against the Belarusian financial sector:
- Exclusion of Belagroprombank, Bank Dabrabyt och the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, as well as their Belarusian subsidiaries, from the SWIFT messaging system;
- Prohibition on transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus regarding the management of reserves or assets, and the provision of public financing for investment in and trade with Belarus;
- As of 12 April 2022, prohibition the listing and provision of services in relation to shares of Belarus state-owned entities on EU trading venues;
- Prohibition the acceptance of deposits exceeding EUR 100 000 from Belarusian citizens and residents, the holding of accounts of Belarusian clients by the EU central securities depositories, and the selling of euro-denominated securities to Belarusian clients; and
- Prohibition on the provision of euro denominated banknotes to Belarus.
Fourth Sanctions Package
On 15 March 2022, the EU decided on further sanctions against Russia. Sanctions are aimed at Russia’s energy and steel industries, among other things. The list of persons and entities covered by the sanctions has also been expanded. The increased sanctions are as follows:
- A full prohibition of any transactions with certain Russian State-owned enterprises across different sectors – the Kremlin’s military-industrial complex.
- An EU import ban on those steel products currently under EU safeguard measures, amounting to approximately € 3.3 billion in lost export revenue for Russia. Increased import quotas will be distributed to other third countries to compensate.
- A far-reaching ban on new investment across the Russian energy sector, with limited exceptions for civil nuclear energy and the transport of certain energy products back to the EU.
- An EU export ban on luxury goods (e.g. luxury cars, jewellery, etc.) to directly hit Russian elites.
- The list of sanctioned persons and entities has been further extended to include more oligarchs and business elites linked to the Kremlin, as well as companies active in military and defense areas, which are logistically and materially supporting the invasion. There are also new listings of actors active in disinformation.
- A ban on the rating of Russia and Russian companies by EU credit rating agencies and the provision of rating services to Russian clients, which would result in them losing even further access to the EU’s financial markets.
The banks that have so far been excluded from the SWIFT payment system are Russia’s largest state- and privately owned banks. The banks that have been excluded are as follows:
- Bank Otkritie
- Novikombank
- Promsvyazbank
- Bank Rossiya
- Sovcombank
- VNESHECONOMBANK (VEB)
- VTB BANK
Fifth Sanctions Package
On 8 April 2022, the EU decided on a fifth sanctions package. The new sanctions consist of several new measures to weaken the Russian government and the Russian economy. The new sanctions include:
- A ban on buying, importing or transferring Russian coal and other solid fossil fuels.
- A ban on providing access to EU ports for Russian-registered vessels. Exceptions are granted for agricultural products, food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
- A ban on any Russian and Belarusian road transportundertaking preventing them from transporting goods by road within the EU, including in transit.
- Additional export bans, especially aimed at aviation fuel and advanced electronic products.
- Additional import bans and import quotas on products such as: wood, cement, glass, fertilizers, seafood and liqour.
- Several economic measures in order to strengthen the already existing sanctions and counteract the loopholes that exist. This includes, among other things, a general ban on Russian companies participating in public procurement, the exclusion of all financial assistance to Russian public bodies, an extended ban on deposits in cryptocurrencies and an extended ban on the sale of banknotes and transferable securities.
In addition, the Council decided to sanction companies whose products or technology had been involved in the invasion of Ukraine. These also include people such as oligarchs, businesspeople, politicians, and other people who have systematically spread misinformation about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A transaction ban by four Russian banks, which account for 23 percent of Russia’s banking sector, will continue. After being de-SWIFTed these banks will now be subject to an asset freeze, thereby being completely cut off from EU markets. The banks that are included are:
- Otkritie FC Bank
- Novikombank
- Sovcombank
- VTB Bank
Sixth Sanctions Package
On 30-31 May 2022, the Council decided on a sixth sanctions package that cover crude oil, as well as petroleum products, delivered from Russia into Member States, with a temporary exception for crude oil delivered by pipeline.
Seventh Sanctions Package
On 21 July 2022, the Council adopted a seventh sanctions package against Russia. The new sanctions include:
- An import ban on gold, if it originates in Russia and it has been exported from Russia into the EU or to non-EU countries after. The import ban also covers jewellery.
- An extended prohibition on accepting deposits. The prohibition now includes deposits from legal persons, bodies, or entities established in third countries and majority-owned by Russian nationals or natural persons residing in Russia.
The list of persons and entities covered by the sanctions has also been expanded.
Eighth Sanctions Package
On 5 October 2022, the Council decided on an eighth sanctions package to reinforce pressure on the Russian government and economy and further limiting Russia’s import and export capacities. The new measures include:
- A price cap related to the maritime transport of Russian oil for non-EU countries, along with further restrictions on maritime transport of crude oil and petroleum products to non-EU countries, including services related to such transport.
- A prohibition on EU nationals to hold any posts on the governing bodies of certain Russian state-owned companies.
- Further service bans to Russia, amongst other IT and legal advisory services.
- Additional restrictions on products which may contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement, e.g. certain electronic components and chemicals.
- An extended import ban on Russian steel products. Further import restrictions are also imposed on paper, wood pulp, cigarettes, plastics, and cosmetics.
To target those who facilitate the circumvention of EU sanctions, the Council also decided to broaden the listing criteria pursuant to which specific designation can be based.
Ninth Sanctions Package
On 16 December 2022, the Council decided on a ninth sanctions package. The ninth sanctions package cover:
- Additional export restrictions on dual-use goods and technology.
- Further restrictions in the banking sector: The Russian Regional Development Bank is added to the list of entities that are subject to a full transaction ban. Two additional Russian banks are subject to asset freeze (Credit Bank of Moscow and Dalnevostochny Bank).
- An extended export ban on aviation and the space industry related goods and technology, meaning, amongst other things, a prohibition against direct exports of drone engines to Russia and any non-EU country that could supply drones to Russia.
- A prohibition against new investments in the Russian mining sector, excluding mining and quarrying involving certain critical raw materials.
- A prohibition against providing advertising, market research and public opinion services to the Russian Federation.
The list of sanctioned persons and entities has also been further extended.
Tenth Sanctions Package
On 24 February 2023, one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Council adopted a tenth sanctions package. The additional restrictive measures include:
- Further export bans on industrial goods and critical technology, such as electronics, machine parts and jet engines.
- An expansion of the list of restricted items that can contribute to a technological strengthening of the Russian defense and security sector. The list now includes additional electronical components used by Russia and retrieved on the battlefield, such as drones and thermal cameras. Dual use goods are also covered.
- Further restrictions on imports of goods which generate significant revenues for Russia, such as synthetic rubber and asphalt.
- Restricted possibilities for Russian nationals to hold any position in the governing bodies of EU critical infrastructures and entities.
The list of sanctioned persons and entities is expanded, and restrictive measures are imposed on an additional 121 individuals and entities. The new listings include, amongst others:
- Key decision makers and military leaders.
- Individuals responsible for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.
- Iranian individuals and entities involved in the supply of drones used by Russia.
- Organisations and other individuals spreading disinformation and adding to the military warfare through information warfare.
- Additional banks (Alfa Bank, Rosbank and Tinkoff) and the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, and the Russian National Reinsurance Company.
To ensure the effectiveness of the asset freeze prohibitions, a more detailed reporting obligation is also introduced.
Eleventh Sanctions Package
On 23 June 2023, the Council of the EU has adopted an eleventh sanctions package. The sanctions are meant to isolate Russia from the international economy and obstruct the warfare carried out on Ukraine. In the eleventh sanctions package in particular, measures are implemented to ensure that EU sanctions are not circumvented.
The additional restrictive measures include:
- A new “anti-circumvention” tool which allows the EU to restrict the sale, supply and export of sanctioned goods and technology to certain “high risk” third countries. The measure shall be considered a last resort measure to ensure the implemented sanctions are not circumvented through third countries.
- Further export bans on industrial goods and critical technology, such as electronics, machine parts and jet engines, exported from the EU to third countries via Russia.
- Addition of 87 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in the war against Ukraine. The entities will be subject to severe export restrictions for dual-use and advanced technology items. In addition to the Russian and Iranian entities previously listed, entities registered in China, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Armenia have been added.
- An expansion of the list of restricted items that can contribute to a technological strengthening of the Russian defence and security sector regarding 15 additional items. Switzerland has been added as a partner in the continued efforts.
- Further restrictions on imports of goods which generate significant revenues for Russia, concerning iron and steel goods that have been processed in a third country to prove that the inputs used do not come from Russia.
- Prohibition to sell, license, transfer or refer intellectual property rights and trade secrets used in connection with restricted goods to prevent the sanctioned goods from being manufactured outside the EU.
- Extension of the ban on export of luxury cars to all new and second-hand cars above a certain engine size and all electric and hybrid vehicles.
- A full ban on certain types of machinery components.
- Further restrictions on transport of goods to the EU from Russia via truck vehicles and boat cargo.
- End of the possibility to import Russian oil by pipeline for Germany and Poland.
The list of sanctioned persons and entities is expanded, and restrictive measures are imposed on more than an additional 100 individuals and entities. The new listings include, amongst others:
- Key decision makers and military leaders.
- Individuals responsible for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.
- Judges who have made politically motivated decisions against Ukrainian citizens.
- Persons responsible for the looting of cultural heritage.
- Additional businesspersons, propagandists as well as Russian IT-companies and banks.
To ensure the effectiveness of the prohibitions, a revision of certain criterions and other clarifications have been made to ensure the effectiveness of the application of the sanctions.
In addition, an additional five channels have been added to the media ban in place.
Twelfth Sanctions Package
On December 18, 2023, the EU decided on a twelfth sanctions package against Russia in response to the war in Ukraine. The sanctions are aimed at further isolating Russia from the international economy and complicating its war efforts in Ukraine. The additional restrictive measures are primarily intended to prevent circumvention of sanctions already implemented. Among others, the following significant trade-related sanctions have been introduced:
- A prohibition on the import of diamonds, liquefied gas, and certain metal goods from Russia.
- A ban on the export of tanker vessels to Russia.
- Expanded export restrictions against Russia pertaining to, among other things, technology, equipment, certain metals, and other goods that can be used in the Russian industry production.
- A requirement for companies in the EU, when exporting certain goods to third countries, to contractually stipulate that re-export to Russia is prohibited.
- An expanded prohibition on the transit of goods through Russia to include additional types of goods, notably certain technical components and other items that can be utilized in the Russian industry.
The list of sanctioned individuals and entities has also been expanded, and restrictive measures have been implemented against more than an additional 150 individuals and entities. Those sanctioned include, among others:
- Russian policymakers and military leaders.
- Individuals who have contributed to the implementation of illegal “elections” on occupied Ukrainian territory.
- Additional entrepreneurs, propagandists, and companies within the Russian military-industrial complex, among others.
EU Decision on Revenues from Russian State Assets on February 12, 2024
On February 12, 2024, the EU declared that central securities depositories holding assets originating from the Russian Central Bank in value exceeding one million euros will be required to ensure the traceability of revenues from these assets as they accumulate. The purpose of this measure is to allow for the majority of these revenues to be used in future aid to Ukraine and expected reconstruction costs following the war. The EU estimates that these assets will amount to approximately 15 billion euros over the next four years. Further decisions by the EU will be necessary before the funds can ultimately be transferred to Ukraine as intended.
Thirteenth Sanctions Package
On February 23, 2024, the European Union decided on a thirteenth sanctions package against Russia. The sanctions primarily target Russian arms industry companies and include the following measures:
- The addition of 27 further entities located in Russia and third countries to the list subject to stricter export restrictions which pertain to products and technologies with dual-use applications, or that may enhance Russia’s military and industrial capacity.
- The inclusion of the United Kingdom as a partner country regarding equivalent restrictive measures on the import of iron and steel.
- The extension of the export ban to critical technologies and industrial products, including certain electrical transformers that, among other applications, can be used in the development of drones.
- The addition of an additional 106 individuals and 88 entities to the sanctions list, which covers, among others, individuals and entities in the Russian and Belarusian military industries, representatives of the Russian occupation on Ukrainian territory, those responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children from occupied areas, and individuals and entities related to the Russian import of weapons and ammunition.
Joint statement on 26 February 2022 by the US, UK and EU
On 26 February 2022 the US, UK and EU made a joint statement in which additional sanctions were announced, including a decision to remove selected Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system. This will mean that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system.
Other announced sanctions include
- restrictive measures that aim to prevent the Russian Central Bank from deploying its international reserves in ways that undermine the impact of the sanctions; and
- measures to limit the sale of citizenship—so called golden passports.
The US sanctions (per March 14, 2023)
The United States has, among other things, directed measures against Russia’s largest financial institutions corresponding to 80% of Russia’s bank assets. These are the following banks and credit institutions.
- Sberbank
- VTB Bank
- Otkritie
- Sovcombank
- Novikombank
The measures mean that the majority of the transactions that take place through the above-mentioned banks and credit institutions will not be able to be completed.
The United States is also acting against ten state-owned companies, including Gazprom, Gazprombank and Gazprom Neft, as well as two privately owned banks (Alfa-Bank and Credit Bank of Moscow). In addition, assets of high-ranking officials in Russia, such as oligarchs and people close to Putin, are being frozen. The United States also imposes an export ban on certain US-made technology products used in the Russian defense and has extended the license requirement for additional categories of products with dual use.
In addition, the US has also put President Putin and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov, and members of the Security Council on the list of persons with frozen assets.
On 8 March 2022, President Biden passed an Execution Order banning the import of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas and coal in the US. A ban is also imposed on American investments in Russia’s energy sector and financing or other enabling of foreign companies that make investments to produce energy in Russia.
The United States has subsequently, during 2022, continued to impose sanctions against Russia. The measures have included, amongst others:
- Implementation or expansion of more than 2,000 sanctions listings and 375 export control Entity Listings, including third-country actors supporting Russia’s warfare.
- Significant restrictions on military and industrial goods that could be used in Russia´s warfare.
- Increased tariffs on hundreds of Russian products imported into the United States.
- Sanctions against Russia’s largest financial institutions.
- Significant visa restrictions for members of the Russian military.
On 24 February 2023, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States announced new sanctions against Russia. The measures are taken in coordination with G7 partners and allies. The sanctions aim to isolate Russia from the international economy. The measures include, among other things:
- Comprehensive sanctions against key revenue generating sectors, including the metals and mining sector and the defense and technology industries, targeting over 200 individuals and entities that support the Russian war effort.
- More export control measures. Nearly 90 Russian and third-country companies are prohibited from buying certain items, such as semiconductors, regardless of whether the item is made in the United States or abroad but with American technology or software.
- Restrictions to prevent components found in Iranian drones from being used on the battlefield in Ukraine.
- Establishment of an Enforcement Coordination Mechanism, to counter Russia’s attempts to circumvent the sanctions.
Counter-sanctions by Russia (as of March 14, 2023)
In response to Western sanctions, Russia has decided to impose counter-sanctions. On March 1, 2022, the President of Russia signed the “Russian Federation President’s decree No. 79 of 28 February 2022 and Russian Federation President’s Decree No. 81 of 1 March 2022”. The documents entered into force on 28 February and 2 March 2022, respectively, and are intended to stabilize Russia’s economy and the ruble by, among other things, preventing the outflow of capital from Russia. On 5 March 2022, a new decree No. 95 “On Temporary Order of Discharge of Obligations Towards Certain Foreign Creditors” was adapted, which entered into force on the same day.
The first decree (No. 79) gives rise to the following restrictions.
- Russian natural and legal persons participating in foreign economic activities must sell 80% of their foreign currency obtained through foreign trade with foreign persons;
- Russian natural and legal persons are prohibited from providing foreign currency through loan agreements to persons not resident in Russia;
- Russian natural and legal persons are prohibited from crediting foreign currency to their accounts with foreign banks and other financial institutions and from transferring money to them without opening a bank account through foreign payment services;
- Russian public limited companies are prevented from repurchasing their own securities.
The second decree, Russian Federation President’s decree No. 81 of 1 March 2022 covers transactions between Russia and what Russia considers to be “unfriendly states”. These transactions will require a special permit from the Russian authorities and are the following transactions
- Transactions that provide credits and loans in Russian rubles and foreign currency; and
- Real estate transactions and security transactions that took place after February 22, 2022
- However, the prohibitions do not apply to transactions in which Russian authorities are parties. Russia has published a list of the states which constitutes “unfriendly countries”, which i.a. entails Sweden and other EU member states, the US, Ukraine, Japan, Norway and Great Britain.
By the third decree, Russian Federation President’s decree No. 95 of 5 March 2022, introduces a special scheme for how residents of Russia may repay debts to companies or persons in or controlled by “unfriendly countries”. Such repayments of more than 10 million roubles (or the equivalent amount in another currency) may i.a. only be made with the permission of the Ministry of Finance or the Russian central bank, or via an account denominated in roubles in a Russian bank, opened in the name of the foreign recipient. The measure can lock in foreign capital into Russian and make it more difficult for companies to establish operations in the country.
During March and April 2022, Russia adopted additional measures against “unfriendly countries”. The measures include, among other things:
- All money transfers from Russian accounts of foreign persons (legal entities or individuals) from “unfriendly countries” to their accounts outside of Russia are suspended for six months.
- Companies from “unfriendly countries” are prohibited from buying currency other than ruble in Russia.
- Russian state-owned companies subject to sanctions by “unfriendly countries” may refrain from publishing information about their public procurement and suppliers.
- Russian insurance companies may not enter into agreements with insurance and reinsurance companies from “unfriendly countries”. The measure applies until and including 31 December 2022.
- Russian financial institutions and banks may refrain from publishing certain information to avoid sanctions from “unfriendly countries”. The measure applies until and including 31 December 2022.
Furthermore, as of 9 March 2022, the Russian parliament also presented a new bill on external management of companies owned by persons from “unfriendly countries”. The bill approved by Edinaya Rossiya (ruling party in the Russian parliament) allows the introduction of external management in organizations, if more than 25 % of the organization are owned by foreign persons from “unfriendly states”, upon termination of business activities in order to prevent bankruptcy and save jobs. Termination of business activity would suggest that any actions of the shareholders which may cause liquidation, stoppage of activity or bankruptcy, will result in external administration which will be carried out by a Russian state owned bank (VEB.RF in this case).
According to media, the companies who has announced they were to leave Russia would be able to refuse go into external administration if they, within five days, resume activities or sell their shares, providing that the business and employees has remained. Otherwise, a court would appoint a temporary administration for three months, after which the shares of the new company would be put up for auction and the old one would be liquidated. The buyer of the company would then undertake to retain a minimum of 2/3 of the employees and would have to continue the activities of the old company for at least a year.
On March 3, 2023, the Russian president signed a decree, which, among other things, include the bill on external management. The decree stipulates that if companies acting as general contractors for the supply of either works or services under the state defence order violate contractual obligations until the lifting of martial law, the rights of the company members and the powers of their management bodies shall be repealed. This also applies to other contractors involved in such deliveries. Simultaneously, external management shall be imposed in these companies. An appointed managing company will then fulfil the obligations according to the state defense order.
Sources:
Press corner | European Commission (europa.eu)
Special meeting of the European Council – Consilium (europa.eu)
Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine: EU agrees new sectoral measures targeting Belarus and Russia – Consilium (europa.eu)EU imposes restrictive measures on 160 individuals as a consequence of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine – Consilium (europa.eu) Publications Office (europa.eu)
Publications Office (europa.eu)
Sanctions adopted following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine (europa.eu)
EUR-Lex – 02014R0269-20230607 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
Timeline – EU restrictive measures against Russia over Ukraine – Consilium (europa.eu)
