Russia Ukraine

Our lawyers discuss sanctions issued or announced by the United States and several allies targeting Russia and the Russia-backed separatist regions of ...

In the lead up to the recent sanctions, leaders of the NATO countries engaged in close coordination and dialogue and had reported that they have “ wrapped up“ and are “ unified“ on potential sanctions packages to be used. This is therefore a very significant expansion in the scope of the designation criteria which empowers the UK to impose sanctions on a wide range of businesses that may not necessarily have a strong nexus to the Russian government, save that the nature of their business and/or the sector(s) in which they operate are of economic significance to the Russian government. However, the recent measures allow more authority for the Western countries to issue additional sanctions in case of further escalation—such as a new Executive Order that authorizes sanctions on persons operating in the separatist regions of Ukraine and a financial services sector determination that authorizes sanctions on persons operating in the Russian financial services sector. Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said in her statement that “this first wave of sanctions will hit oligarchs and banks close to the Kremlin. It sends a clear message that the UK will use [its] economic heft to inflict pain on Russia and degrade their strategic interests.” She further stated that “in the event of further aggressive acts by Russia against Ukraine,” the UK has prepared “an unprecedented package of further sanctions ready to go. There has been much speculation in recent days about the sanctions packages that would be revealed upon Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So far, many world leaders have stopped short of calling Russia’s recognition of the two regions and his deployment of the Russian military to these regions a full-scale invasion, perhaps in part as an effort to deescalate tension or to leave space for additional sanctions if the situation worsens. The Nord Stream 2 project was intended to supply energy from Russia to the European Union, and Germany—along with other EU member states—had so far contested any attempts to impose sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project in light of Russian aggression, in part due to the European Union’s heavy reliance on energy sources from Russia. With this action, Germany sent a clear message that it stands ready to join severe sanctions against Russia. Parties planning to rely on these general licenses should note that all six general licenses expressly limit their authorizations to transactions and activities that are prohibited by this particular Executive Order. The general licenses do not authorize transactions with persons or entities designated pursuant to other sanctions programs. Such measures will likely take the form of targeted EU Economic Sanctions and prohibit or at least limit dealings with, for example, transferable securities and money-market instruments with a certain maturity and prohibit making loans or credit to those targeted. After the meeting of the council, Putin delivered a televised address to the public, referring to eastern Ukraine as “historically Russian territory” and saying that it is “necessary to take a long overdue decision to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic.” Immediately thereafter, Putin ordered Russian troops to enter the regions for a “peacekeeping” mission under the treaties of “friendship and mutual assistance” that Russia ratified that same day with the individual regions. OFAC accompanied this determination with FAQ 964, noting that its determination merely lays the groundwork for future sanctions against persons that operate in the financial services sector, rather than actually serving as sanctions on the entire financial services sector. NATO allies also announced sanctions—including targeted designations by the United Kingdom and a sanctions package by the European Union—and non-NATO allies promised tough sanctions in close coordination. These actions are only among a few of several tools we expect the United States and its allies will use in the coming days and weeks as Russia continues to stoke military tension in the region.

"We've cut off Russia's government from Western financing," Mr Biden said. It came after Russian politicians authorised President Vladimir Putin to send troops ...

The EU's response also targets 27 individuals and entities involved in the decision. Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine have seized large swathes of territory since fierce fighting broke out in 2014. Western nations largely see the action as a pretext for a wider invasion. Announcing his "first tranche" of measures directly targeting the Russian state, Mr Biden said on Tuesday: "To put it simply, Russia just announced that it is carving out a big chunk of Ukraine." On Monday Mr Putin ordered soldiers into the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to "keep the peace" - a description the US called "nonsense". The US has hit Russia with wide-ranging sanctions over what President Joe Biden called "the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine".

Prime minister Scott Morrison says Australia 'always stands up to bullies' and there 'must be consequences for Russia's actions'

He said the Russian government “should be called out as thugs and bullies”. The US president, Joe Biden, said he was determined to “cut off Russia’s government from western financing”. “Calling it peacekeeping is quite farcical. It is anything but. “Australians always stand up to bullies,” he said. Senior Labor opposition frontbenchers were briefed by senior officials on Wednesday afternoon.

Putin has sent soldiers on a 'peacekeeping mission' but is likely to threaten Ukraine with a broader war.

And they have made clear that they will not send combat troops to Ukraine. An offensive of that size has not been seen in Europe since the second world war. They include the large city of Mariupol, which is on the other side of the frontlines. Moscow will now threaten Ukraine with a broader war if it continues to fight against the “separatists”, telling Kyiv that Russia is now obliged by treaty to defend them from attack. More than 14,000 people have died in the fighting that has occurred since 2014. A document signed by Putin on Monday also allows him to establish military bases or place missiles in the territories.

US president targets elites, some banks and sovereign debt and says more measures will follow if Putin advances.

Analysis: advance forces' battle readiness will quickly degrade, giving Putin only days to choose invasion or retreat.

But, either way, military pressures mean the next few days are likely to be significant. They will assess our responses. Latvia’s defence minister, Artis Pabriks, agreed the next few days were crucial.