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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
EU Targets Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” and Hybrid Threats
In a significant escalation in late December 2025, the European Union has implemented a series of new measures designed to cripple Russia’s ability to fund its war efforts and to counter non-military destabilization tactics. On December 18, 2025, the EU added 41 vessels to its sanctions list. These ships are part of an opaque network […]
UK Delays Imposing Sanctions on Lukoil International Until February
The UK government has officially delayed the enforcement of sanctions against Lukoil International GmbH, the international unit of the Russian energy giant Lukoil PJSC. The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) announced that sanctions against Lukoil International and its subsidiaries will now come into effect on February 26. They were originally scheduled to begin […]
Serbia’s only oil refinery faces shutdown due to US sanctions
Serbia’s only oil refinery, Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), faces an imminent shutdown due to US sanctions targeting its majority Russian ownership. This situation poses a significant threat to the country’s energy security. The sanctions, enforced by the US starting October 9, 2025, target Russia’s energy sector. NIS is 51% owned by Gazprom and Gazprom Neft, […]
EU sanctions against A7A5 and Payeer come into effect
The European Union is implementing strict sanctions against the Russian ruble-pegged stablecoin A7A5 and the payment service provider Payeer. These measures are a response to their involvement in Russia’s destabilization of Ukraine. The EU has explicitly prohibited all direct and indirect transactions involving A7A5. This is a stricter stance than previous US or UK actions. […]
Zelenskyy sanctions former business partner implicated in $100M corruption scandal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on Tymur Mindich, his former business partner, according to a decree published Thursday. Mindich was implicated in a $100 million corruption scandal in Ukraine’s battered energy sector, where prosecutors alleged this week he masterminded a scheme manipulating contracts at Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company to extract kickbacks worth 10-15 […]