Sweden and Ukraine

The sanctions complement the measures imposed against Russia since 2014 as a result of the illegal annexation of Crimea and aggression against Ukraine:Sanctions regarding Russia and Ukraine

Compilation of sanctions against Russia 

The following is a summary of sanctions implemented against Russia due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is a summary description and not a complete account.

Sanctions Package 13 (February 23, 2024)

On February 23, the EU’s thirteenth sanctions package against Russia was adopted. The package focuses on companies in the Russian arms industry and includes, among other things:

• 27 new entities in Russia and third countries are added to the list of entities subject to stricter export restrictions due to their support to Russia’s military and industrial complex.
• The UK is added to the list of partner countries that have similar restrictive measures to the EU regarding the import of iron and steel.
• The export bans are extended, among other things with regard to certain electrical transformers.
• 106 additional persons and 88 entities are included in the sanctions list. The decision covers, among others, persons and entities in the Russian and Belarusian military industry, public representatives of the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory, persons and entities responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, as well as persons and connected to Russian imports of weapons and ammunition.

Returns on Russian state assets should be able to be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine (February 12, 2024)

On 12 February 2024, the EU decided that central securities depositories holding Russian central bank assets exceeding one million euros must ensure the traceability of the proceeds, so that the majority of these proceeds can be used in the future for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The funds are estimated to amount to approximately EUR 15 billion over the next four years. Further decisions within the EU will be required for the funds to finally be transferred to Ukraine.

Sanctions Package 12 (December 18, 2023)

On December 18, the EU’s twelfth sanctions package against Russia was adopted. The package focuses on additional economic and anti-circumvention measures and includes, among other things:

• Ban on the import of Russian diamonds, Russian gas oil and certain metal goods.
• Ban on the export of tankers to Russia.
• Extended export bans, including tools, technology and other goods such as certain metals that can be used in Russian industry.
• Requirement for companies in the EU to, when exporting certain goods to third countries, contractually stipulate that further export to Russia is prohibited.
• The ban on transiting goods through Russia is extended to more categories of goods and technology, including certain components and goods that can be used in Russian industry.
• 29 new entities in Russia and third countries are added to the list of entities subject to stricter export restrictions.
• Over 140 additional individuals and entities are included in the sanctions list. The decision covers, among others, senior military officials and decision-makers, propagandists, businessmen and people who contributed to conducting illegal “elections” on occupied Ukrainian territory, as well as companies that support or operate within the Russian military-industrial complex.

Sanctions Package 11 (June 23, 2023)

On June 23, the second sanctions package against Russia was adopted under the Swedish presidency. The package focuses on measures to counter circumvention of the sanctions and includes:

• A new tool that gives the EU the possibility to introduce export restrictions for certain goods to third countries to counter circumvention of the sanctions. The measure requires a separate decision to be implemented.
• The ban on the transit of goods through Russia is extended to more categories of goods and technology (goods and technology that can contribute to Russia’s military and technological capabilities or to the development of the defense and security sector).
• 87 new units are added to the list of units subject to stricter export restrictions.
• The export restrictions extend to intellectual property rights and trade secrets, as well as new goods and products, including components found in Russian weapons used in Ukraine.
• Temporary broadcast ban for media companies that broadcast disinformation and war propaganda is extended to apply to five more companies.
• The ban on access to EU ports is extended to ships engaged in transshipment of oil at sea if it can be suspected of circumventing the oil embargo and the oil price ceiling or shuts down certain navigation systems while transporting Russian oil.
• Tightening of the import ban on certain steel and iron goods by requiring a certificate of origin for goods imported from third countries.
• Over 100 additional persons and entities are included in the sanctions list. The decision covers senior military officials and policy makers, people involved in the forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, judges responsible for politically motivated sentences against Ukrainian citizens, people responsible for the looting of cultural heritage, additional businessmen, propagandists, some Russian IT companies, banks operating in the occupied territories and units of the Russian Armed Forces.
• The listing criterion directed at persons and entities that facilitate violations of the prohibition against circumvention of the sanctions is extended to include persons and entities that otherwise significantly oppose those provisions.

Sanctions against the Wagner group (April 13, 2023)

As a follow-up to the tenth sanctions package, two more entities are added to the sanctions list against activities that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

• The Wagner group (already subject to EU sanctions under the global human rights sanctions regime, is a Russia-based private military force founded in 2014 led by Dmitry Utkin and financed by Yevgeny Prigozhin).
• RIA FAN (which is part of the Russian media group Patriot Media Group where Yevgeny Prigozhin is chairman of the board, participates in pro-government propaganda and disinformation about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine).

Sanctions Package 10 (February 24, 2023)

In conjunction with the anniversary of Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU adopted its tenth package of sanctions against Russia. It is the first package to be adopted during Sweden’s presidency of the EU. The package contains:

• Actions that strike at Russian warfighting capabilities, with a focus on actions that limit Russia’s and Iran’s access to advanced technology. This includes an extension of bans on, among other things, high-tech dual-use products that can be used by Russia for military and technological reinforcements. The list of prohibited end users of such products is also expanded, including units under the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Lists are also being introduced against individuals with prominent roles in companies that produce weapons in support of the Russian military, including several Iranian individuals involved in the supply of drones to Russia.
• Listings of several commanders within the Russian Wagner Group. They are listed for their role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and for suspected crimes against humanity in Mali, Sudan, Central African Republic and Libya.
• Additional sanctions are also being imposed on political decision-makers, such as local representatives of the areas of eastern Ukraine illegally annexed by Russia, as well as Russian politicians responsible for the deportation of children from Ukraine.
• Sanctions are also imposed on some of Russia’s largest banks (Alfa Bank, Rosbank, Tinkoff Bank) and on Russia’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer GAZ.
• Actions against Russian propaganda and disinformation in support of Russia’s illegal war. This includes listings of Rossiya Segodnjia, which owns state-run Russian TV channel Sputnik, as well as restrictions on RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic’s broadcasts. Sanctions are also directed at the All-Russia People’s Front, which owns the rights to the war propaganda symbol “Z”.
• The reporting requirements on the assets frozen due to the sanctions are also strengthened to ensure that the sanctions are complied with and to prevent their circumvention.

On February 24, EU member states also decided to extend the sanctions against Belarus by twelve months until February 28, 2024.

Price ceiling petroleum products (February 2, 2023)

• The price ceiling is established for the provision of sea transport and services for the export of two categories of petroleum products from Russia to countries outside the EU. One category is petroleum products sold below the price of crude oil with a price cap of $45 and the other is petroleum products sold above the price of crude oil, $100.
• The price ceiling is the highest price per barrel for which Russia can deliver petroleum products via sea transport to countries outside the EU.

Sanctions Package 9 (December 16, 2022)

• Expanded export bans on products that could contribute to Russia’s military and technological capabilities and development of its defense and security sector (drone engines, additional chemical and biological products, riot control agents and electronic components).
• Expanding the list of prohibited end-users for weapons, PDAs and advanced technology to include certain Russian-controlled entities based in Crimea or Sevastopol.
• The Russian Regional Development Bank is added to the list of entities subject to the transaction ban.
• EU nationals are prohibited from holding any positions in the governing bodies of any Russian state-owned or controlled legal person, entity or body in Russia.
• The ban on providing certain services is extended to advertising, market research and opinion polls, as well as product testing and technical inspection services.
• The ban on new investments in the energy sector is extended to the mining sector.
  The broadcasting ban is extended to include the media companies NTV/NTV Mir, Rossiya 1, REN TV, Pervyi Kanal.
• Listing of additional members of the Duma and the Federation Council, ministers, governors, individuals from the Constitutional Court, individuals with leading positions in the occupied territories, as well as companies within the military-industrial complex, Russian parties, media companies and other entities operating for propaganda purposes.

Crude oil price ceiling (December 3, 2022)

• Price caps are set for the provision of marine transportation and services for the export of crude oil from Russia to countries outside the EU at USD 60 per barrel.
• The price ceiling is the highest price per barrel for which Russia can deliver petroleum products via sea transport to countries outside the EU.

Sanctions Package 8 (6 October 2022)

• Restrictive measures related to the recognition of the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts of Ukraine are extended to all non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson Oblasts of Ukraine.
• A new listing criterion is introduced to target those who help circumvent EU sanctions.
• Additional listings against around thirty individuals and entities. Among other things, individuals responsible for the implementation of the illegal so-called “referendums” on occupied parts of Ukrainian territory.
• Import bans are extended to include certain steel products and additional goods that generate significant revenue for Russia, including pulp, paper, certain stones, precious metals, machinery, chemicals, cigarettes, plastics and finished chemical products such as cosmetics.
• Export bans are extended to include certain chemical substances. Prohibitions also apply to a number of electronic products and products used in the aviation industry as well as chemical products. The export ban is also extended to cover certain weapons and ammunition, including so-called “tasers”.
• The ban on the export of services is extended, among other things, with regard to legal advice.
• No ships registered in the Russian ship register, regardless of flag, are allowed to enter EU ports.
• Ban for EU citizens to sit on the board of Russian state-owned or controlled companies is introduced.
• An oil price ceiling must be introduced, as part of the implementation of the price ceiling developed within the G7. The mechanism regulates the possibility for shipping companies within the EU to transport oil to third countries under a specified price level. The aim is that Russian oil revenues should be limited, certain third countries should be able to get a lower price, and European carriers should not be disadvantaged compared to other carriers when delivering to third countries.

Measures regarding visas (9 September 2022)

• The 2007 visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia has been completely suspended. This means that an application for a Schengen visa for Russian citizens is now examined according to the EU’s visa code.

Sanctions Package 7 (July 21, 2022)

• Ban on the import of gold originating in Russia
• Strengthening of restrictions against dual-use items and advanced technologies, especially with use in the defense and security sector
• Additional individuals (54) and entities (10) are placed on the sanctions list, including the mayor of Moscow and Sberbank. Individuals under sanctions must declare their assets to facilitate freezing.
• Russian-flagged ships are denied access to locks.
• Additional restrictions in the financial sector.
• Certain exceptions are made for, among other things, agricultural products and certain pharmaceutical products.
• A number of clarifications regarding, among other things, public procurement and air traffic.

Sanctions Package 6 (June 3, 2022)

• Import ban on crude oil and petroleum products from Russia, with a phase-out period of 6-8 months and a temporary exception for oil delivered via pipeline.
• Exclusion of three more Russian banks from the SWIFT payment messaging service, including Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank.
• Suspension of broadcast operations of three additional state-controlled Russian media channels.
• Additional export restrictions on dual-use items and technology in the defense and security sector.
• Ban on services in accounting, PR and consulting.
• Additional individuals (65) and entities (18) are placed on the sanctions list (total now 1158 individuals and 98 entities).

Sanctions Package 5 (8 April 2022)

• Prohibition of granting access to ports within the EU to vessels registered under the Russian flag.
• Ban on buying or importing coal originating in Russia from August 2022.
• Ban on Russian-registered road transport companies operating in the EU
• Previous bans on the import and export of certain goods to and from Russia are being extended.
• Further tightening of sanctions against the Russian financial sector. Restrictions on support to Russian state-owned or -controlled companies from the EU and member states
• Russian citizens and companies are no longer allowed to participate in public procurement in the EU.
• Additional individuals and entities/companies are added to the EU sanctions list. Those affected include business owners who support or benefit from the Russian government and individuals and family members associated with them; ministers and members of the “People’s Council” in Donetsk and Luhansk; as well as companies and entities that contribute to undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Sanctions Package 4 (March 15, 2022)

• Ban on the export of goods or technology in the area of ​​iron and steel.
  Import ban for iron and steel products originating in Russia or exported from Russia.
• Ban on export of goods or technology and ban on investment and insurance and reinsurance in the energy sector. (Some exceptions are made in the bans for activities necessary for the transport of coal, oil, gas and titanium from Russia to the EU, as well as civil nuclear power).
• Ban on the export of luxury products to individuals, entities and bodies in Russia or for use in Russia if these exceed 300 euros in value.
• Prohibition against directly or indirectly participating in transactions with state-owned or state-controlled entities or bodies.
• Prohibition on providing credit rating services later than 30 days after the decision has entered into force.
• Tightening of the export restrictions on dual-use items, goods and technology in the defense and security sector and the aerospace sector.
• Expanded list of entities linked to Russia’s defense and industrial base.
• Air traffic controllers’ responsibility for rejecting proposed overflights from actors that do not have access to EU airspace is clarified.
• Listings of additional individuals (15 items) and entities (9 items). The individuals and entities listed are either involved in economic sectors that provide a substantial source of income for the Russian government or have acted to undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Sanctions decided by the EU on March 9, 2022

The Council has decided on new sanctions as well as a number of clarifications and clarifications of previous decisions.

• The extent of asset freezing is clarified, for example that cryptocurrencies are included as well as stocks, bonds and securities.
• Addendum on export control for maritime technology to Russia, as well as a number of clarifications regarding export control.
• Listings are also suggested by additional individuals. Those listed include leading businessmen involved in economic sectors that constitute a substantial source of income for the Russian government, as well as members of the Federation Council that ratified the friendship treaties between Russia and the so-called People’s Republics.

Sanctions package “3b” (March 2, 2022)

• Exclusion of seven Russian banks from SWIFT. The seven banks are Bank Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, Rossiya Bank, Sovcombank, Vnesheconombank (VEB) and VTB Bank.
• Ban on investment, participation and other forms of contribution to future projects co-financed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund
• Prohibition on the sale, delivery, transfer and export of euro banknotes to Russia or to natural or legal persons or entities in Russia
• The broadcasting operations in the EU of the Sputnik and Russia Today (RT) channels and their associated media channels are suspended.

Sanctions package “3a” (February 28, 2022)

• Ban on transactions with the Central Bank of Russia
• Ban on overflights of EU airspace and against access to EU airports for Russian air carriers
• New restrictive measures that include additional listings of leading businessmen involved in economic sectors that constitute a substantial source of income for the Russian government, leading decision-makers in both the military and civilian sectors, party representatives and journalists (26). An additional device is listed.

Sanctions Package 2 (February 25, 2022)

• Measures against loans to additional privately owned banks.
• Measures against new listings of Russian state-owned enterprises and against the financing of certain state-owned enterprises.
• Ban on Russian citizens making bank deposits of over EUR 100,000 in EU banks.
• Prohibition of central securities depositories to have Russian account holders.
• Ban on the sale of bonds in euros to Russian citizens.
• Ban on the export of certain technology to the oil sector.
• Prohibition against selling or providing products and services connected to the aerospace industry.
• Tightened and broadened export controls for products with dual uses.
• Prohibition on exporting goods and technology that contribute to Russia’s military and technological development, or development in the defense and security areas.
• President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov are put on the sanctions list and have their possible assets in EU countries frozen.
• Listings of additional individuals. Those listed include all Duma members who are not yet on the sanctions list, additional members of Russia’s Security Council, and Belarusian individuals who facilitated the invasion of Ukraine.
• New criteria for listing individuals who actively support or benefit from the Russian government, as well as leading businessmen involved in economic sectors that constitute a substantial source of income for the Russian government.

Sanctions Package 1 (February 23, 2022)

• Sanctions against the 351 members of the Russian State Duma who voted on February 15 to call on President Putin to recognize the self-proclaimed “republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent, as well as 27 other individuals with positions of responsibility in the military, propaganda and more.
• Restrictions on economic relations with the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts: ban on imports, ban on financial services, ban on exports in telecommunications, energy and minerals, ban on services in the tourism industry.
• Restrictions regarding Russia’s access to the EU’s capital and financial markets and financial services.