US Relaxes Russian Oil Sanctions for India to Address Supply Shortfalls
The US Treasury has issued a 30-day waiver (valid through April 4, 2026) that allows Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. This is being framed as a “deliberate short-term measure.” By letting India absorb Russian crude that is already “floating” in Asian waters, Washington hopes to quickly inject supply into the […]
A Strategic Pivot on Energy
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently signaled a pragmatic—if somewhat ironic—shift in energy policy. As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupt shipping routes through the critical Strait of Hormuz, the US is weighing the release of additional sanctioned Russian oil to prevent a global supply crunch. The Treasury Department is considering “unsanctioning” segments of […]
The UK launches new sanction package against Russia’s energy sector
The United Kingdom has announced its most significant sanctions package against Russia since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Timed to mark the four-year anniversary of the war, these measures are designed to aggressively cut off the revenue streams that Russia uses to fund its military efforts. The UK is targeting Transneft, the massive state-owned […]
Australia’s New Sanctions: 180 people and company
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia is imposing new sanctions on 180 individuals, entities, and vessels related to the shadow fleet. The goal is to increase pressure on Moscow for violating international law. With this latest move, Australia has now placed over 1,800 sanctions on Russia since the conflict began. Foreign Minister Winston Peters […]
US Moves to Cut Off Small Swiss Bank Over Illegal Money
The US Treasury Department is taking steps to ban American financial institutions from doing business with MBaer Merchant Bank AG, a small Swiss bank. The bank is accused of moving more than $100 million in illegal funds on behalf of Iranian and Russian criminal groups. This bank is not related to the major Swiss financial […]
UK announces biggest sanctions package against Russia four years on from full-scale invasion of Ukraine
To mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has launched its most extensive sanctions package since 2022. The primary goal is to choke off Moscow’s critical revenue streams—particularly its oil exports—which are currently at their lowest point since 2020. Alongside the economic crackdown, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Kyiv […]
EU sanctions Russian officials as Hungary blocks funds to Ukraine
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European Union successfully sanctioned a small group of Russian officials, but failed to pass a massive financial aid package for Ukraine and broader sanctions against Moscow due to a veto from Hungary. The EU froze assets and issued travel bans against eight Russian […]
New sanctions from Ukraine for Russia’s financial, defense sectors
Following a massive overnight airstrike involving over 400 drones and missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed decrees imposing new sanctions on Russia’s financial and defense sectors. The measures specifically target the supply chains and funding mechanisms that allow Russia to acquire foreign components for its weapons, as well as entities involved in cryptocurrency mining. […]
$500 Million in Telegram Bonds Frozen in Russia Due to Sanctions
Approximately $500 million worth of bonds issued by the messaging app Telegram have been frozen at Russia’s National Settlement Depository (NSD) due to Western sanctions. A Financial Times report suggests this freeze highlights the company’s lingering exposure to Russian capital, despite founder Pavel Durov’s efforts to distance himself from Moscow.
Surge in ‘Shadow Fleet’ Ships Reflagging to Russia to Dodge US Sanctions
Analysis by Lloyd’s List reveals a sharp increase in illicit “shadow fleet” vessels switching to the Russian registry in an attempt to shield themselves from US seizure. Last year, 40 suspicious ships joined the Russian registry—with 17 doing so in the last month alone—following Donald Trump’s announcement of a “blockade” on Venezuelan oil. Shipowners are […]