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I. US SANCTIONS
- OFAC Makes Russia-related Designations to Its SDN
List: On September 14, 2023, the Departments of State and
the Department of the Treasury imposed further sanctions on over
150 individuals and entities, including five Turkish firms and one
Turkish individual, in connection with Russia’s unlawful
invasion of Ukraine. The Departments targeted individuals and
entities including Russia’s elites, industrial base, financial
institutions, technology suppliers, and those engaged in sanctions
evasion and circumvention, those complicit in furthering
Russia’s ability to wage war against Ukraine, and those
responsible for bolstering Russia’s future energy production.
Read more >> - OFAC Issues Russia-related General Licenses:
On September 14, OFAC issued General License 55A, “Authorizing
Certain Services Related to Sakhalin-2” and General License
72, “Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving
Certain Entities Blocked on September 14, 2023.” General
License 55A allows for importation of Sakhalin-2, previously
prohibited by OFAC starting November 21, 2022, into Japan through
June 28, 2024. General License 72 authorizes the wind down of
transactions involving eight companies sanctioned by OFAC on
September 14, 2023. This wind down period will last through
December 13, 2023. The license does not authorize any transactions
prohibited by Directive 2 under E.O. 14024, Directive 4 under E.O.
14024, or any transaction otherwise prohibited by the RuHSR.
Read more >> - US Department of State Announces Additional Sanctions
on Russian Energy Production: On September 14, 2023, the
US State Department imposed sanctions on over 70 entities and
individuals involved in expanding Russia’s energy production
and export capacity, operating in Russia’s metals and mining
sectors and aiding Russian individuals and entities in evading
international sanctions. The Department of State also designated
one Russian Intelligence Services officer and one Georgian-Russian
oligarch. Read more >> - US Department of Commerce Targets 28 Companies from
China, Russia, and Other Countries: On September 25, 2023,
the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security
(BIS) targeted 28 companies from China, Russia and other countries
for conspiracy to violate US export controls and other activities
contrary to US national security interests. The new designations
included nine firms implicated in violating existing export
controls through a scheme to supply a Russian company with
components to build unmanned aerial vehicles for Russia’s
intelligence agency. Read more >> - US and UK Sanction Additional Members of the
Russia-based Trickbot Cybercrime Gang: On September 7,
2023, the US, in coordination with the UK, sanctioned eleven
individuals who are part of the Russia-based Trickbot cybercrime
group. The Trickbot group has ties to Russian intelligence services
and has targeted the US government and US companies, including
hospitals. Read more >>Also on September 7,
2023, the Department of Justice indicted multiple Russian
cybercrime actors involved in the Trickbot malware and ransomware
schemes. Read more >> - OFAC Sanctions Five Entities and Two Individuals for
Supplying Components for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Used by Russia
Military in Ukraine: On September 27, 2023, OFAC
sanctioned five entities and two individuals based in Iran, the
People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Turkey, and the United
Arab Emirates involved in the procurement of sensitive parts for
Iran’s one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program.
This network has facilitated shipments and financial transactions
in support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force
Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization’s procurement of
servomotors, a critical component used in Iran’s Shahed-series
UAVs. Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed-136 UAVs to
support Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Read more >> - Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Convenes REPO Deputies
Meeting: On September 7, 2023, the Deputy Secretary of the
Treasury and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General convened a
Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Deputies meeting. At
the meeting, participants from Australia, Canada, the European
Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, and
the United States discussed ongoing sanctions enforcement
initiatives and noted the need to counter Russian elites and their
proxy networks that continue to enable and profit from Putin’s
war economy. REPO members committed to taking steps to fully map
Russian sovereign assets and ensure that Russian assets held in
REPO member jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia pays
for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. Read more >> - US Department of Commerce Meets with International
Allies and Adds Important Updates to Its List of Controlled
“Common High Priority” Items: On September 19,
2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and
Security (BIS) met with the UK, EU, and Japan to continue
coordination in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a
result, BIS added seven new Harmonized System codes to its
“common high priority” items list, including bearings
needed for heavy vehicles or other machinery and antennae used for
navigation systems. Read more >> - Secretary of State Suggests Asset Transfer from Russian
Oligarchs to Ukraine Occurring: During a September 6 press
availability with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba,
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US, “for the
first time,” is transferring assets seized from sanctioned
Russian oligarchs to Ukraine to support Ukrainian military
veterans. Read more >> - BIS Issues Guidance to Prevent High Priority Items from
Being Diverted to Russia: On September 28, the Department
of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a
new guidance document for US industry to prevent high priority
items from being shipped to Russia. The guidance recommends that
exporters secure written confirmation from their customers to help
prevent diversion, and provides a sample written attestation for
this purpose. Read more >> - US Defense Secretary Announces Ukrainian Forces Will
Soon Receive US Abrams Tanks: During his opening remarks
at the 15th Ukraine Defense Contact Group on September
19, 2023, the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin, announced that
the M1 Abrams tanks that the US had previously committed to
“will be entering Ukraine soon.” The Defense Secretary
also highlighted that the US has committed additional
security-assistance packages totalling more than $2 billion. These
packages include urgently needed air defense, ammunition, and
mine-clearing equipment. Read more >> - DOJ Arrests Russian International Money Launderer for
Defrauding the United States: On September 18, 2023, DOJ
charged Maxim Marchenko, a Russian citizen, in connection with
conspiring to defraud the United States and smuggling, wire fraud,
and money laundering offenses. Marchenko is alleged to have
participated in a scheme to unlawfully procure US-sources, dual-use
microelectronics with military application on behalf of end users
in Russia. Read more >> - Miami-based Businessman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to
Violate Russia-Ukraine Sanctions: On September 13, 2023,
Sergey Karpushkin, a Miami resident and citizen of Belarus, plead
guilty to engaging in a scheme to violate US sanctions and commit
money laundering by conducting transactions for the purchase and
acquisition of metal products valued at over $139 million from
companies owned by Sergey Kurchenko, an OFAC-designated SDN.
Karpushkin also agreed to forfeit over $4.7 million in criminal
proceeds. Read more >> - US Department of Commerce Issues Temporary Denial Order
in Support of Strike Force Case: On August 31, 2023, the
Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security issued
a temporary denial order (TDO), suspending the export privileges of
three individuals – Arthur Petrov, Zhanna Soldatenkova, and Ruslan
Almetov – and four companies – Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD, Ultra
Trade Service LLC, Juzhoi Electronic LLC, and LLC Electrocom VPK –
all of which are part of a Russia-based illicit procurement network
that supplies the Russian military. Read more >> - US Sanctions Authorities Delay KFC’s Russia
Exit: KFC’s exit from Russia was delayed after OFAC
issued a compliance guidance to the industry regarding the Russia
“exit tax,” while negotiations on the exit deal were
ongoing. The delay illustrates how corporate exits have become more
complicated as Russia has tightened its restrictions. Read more >>
II. EU SANCTIONS
- EU’s General Court Dismissed the Actions Brought by
Mr. Dmitry Alexandrovich Pumpyanskiy and Ms. Galina Evgenyevna
Pumpyanskaya Against EU Sanctions: On September 6, the
General Court dismissed the actions brought by Mr. Pumpyanskiy and
his wife. The General Court held that although Mr. Pumpyanskiy has
not played a direct role in military offensive in Ukraine, he is
involved in economic sectors which constitute a substantial source
of revenue for the Government of Russia. Read more >>and Read more >> - EU’s General Court Dismissed the Action Brought by
Ms. Elena Petrovna Timchenko Against EU Sanctions: On
September 6, the General Court dismissed the action brought by Ms.
Timchenko highlighting amongst others involvement of Ms. Timchenko
within the Timchenko Foundation associated with her husband.
Read more >> - EU’s General Court Decided that EU Sanctions on
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Shulgin Should Be Lifted: On
September 6, the General Court ruled that sanctions against Mr.
Shulgin should be lifted recalling the need for an updated
assessment of the grounds for sanctions. Read more >> - EU’s General Court Dismissed the Action Brought by
Mr. Tigran Khudaverdyan against EU Sanctions: On September
6, the General Court dismissed the action brought by Mr.
Khudaverdyan. Read more >> - EU’s General Court Dismissed the Action Brought by
Mr. Mikail Safarbekovich Gutseriev against EU Sanctions:
On September 6, the General Court dismissed the action brought by
Mr. Gutseriev. Read more >> - Commission Published Guidance to Help European
Operators Assess Sanctions Circumvention Risks: On
September 7, the European Commission published a guidance note
addressed to European operators to help them identify, assess, and
understand the possible risks of sanctions circumvention and how to
avoid it. This guidance note aims at providing a general overview
of what EU operators need to do when conducting due diligence in
their work, as required by EU law. Read more >> - EU Sanctioned Six Individuals for Human Rights
Violations in Russia and Ukraine: On September 8, the EU
decided to impose restrictive measures on six individuals
responsible for human rights violations in Russia and Ukraine,
including violations of freedom of opinion and expression. The
individuals listed include prosecutors and judges active in courts
established by Russia’s occupying force in illegally annexed
Crimea, as well as members of the Russian Federal Security Service.
Read more >>and Read more >> - European Parliament Note on Recent Publications and
Commentaries from Think Tanks on Russia’s War on
Ukraine: On September 8, the European Parliamentary
Research Service published its regular update note gathering links
to the recent publications and commentaries from international
think tanks on Russia’s war on Ukraine. Read more >> - European Commission Has Updated Its Russia Sanctions
FAQs on Imports, Purchase and Transfer of Listed Goods: On
September 12, the European Commission updated its FAQ regarding
personal goods and vehicles temporarily brought by Russian
nationals. Read more >> - EU Individual Sanctions against Russia Prolonged for
Further Six Months: On September 13, the EU decided to
prolong the individual sanctions targeting those responsible for
undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty,
and independence of Ukraine until March 15, 2024. The sanctions
measures provide for travel restrictions for natural persons, the
freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic
resources available to the listed individuals and entities.
Sanctions will continue to apply to almost 1,800 individuals and
entities altogether. Read more >> - Three Russian Individuals Removed from the EU Sanctions
List: On September 13, the EU removed Aleksandr
Aleksandrovich Shulgin, Grigory Viktorovich Berezkin and Farkhad
Akhmedov from the sanctions list in the context of the EU sanctions
renewal. Read more >>and Read more >> - EU’s General Court Dismissed the Action Brought by
Mr. Alexander Evgenevich Shatrov against EU Sanctions: On
September 13, the General Court dismissed the action brought by Mr.
Shatrov against EU sanctions in view of the situation in Belarus.
Read more >> - EU’s General Court Dismissed the Action Brought by
Mr. Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov against EU Sanctions: On
September 13, the General Court dismissed the action brought by Mr.
Rashnikov against EU sanctions in respect of actions undermining or
threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence
of Ukraine. Read more >> - EU’s General Court Dismissed the Action Brought by
Synesis TAA against EU Sanctions: On September 13, the
General Court dismissed the action brought by a Belarusian company
active in the sector of information technology Synesis TAA against
EU sanctions in view of the situation in Belarus. Read more >> - Action Brought by Mr. Vladimir Gheorghe Plahotniuc
against EU Sanctions: On September 25, the EU published
information on the action brought on August 9, 2023, by Mr.
Plahotniuc against EU sanctions in view of actions destabilizing
the Republic of Moldova. Read more >> - Glencore Traded Russian Copper through Turkey:
It is reported that commodity trading company Glencore brought at
least 5,000 tons of Russian copper sheets made by Russia’s Ural
Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC) routed through Turkey to
Italy in July 2023. It is estimated that overall Turkish imports of
copper cathode and wire rod were 125,000 tons higher year on year
in the first six months of 2023, and far in excess of domestic
requirements. Read more >> - European Commission Clarifies That ‘No-Claims
Clause’ Protects Operators Complying with EU
Sanctions: On September 27, the European Commission
explained that a ‘no-claims clause’ included as a standard
provision in EU sanctions legislations protects operators required
to comply with EU sanctions from having to satisfy claims of any
type brought forward by certain third parties, whenever those
claims are connected with the performance of a contract or
transaction affected by EU sanctions. This includes claims for
indemnity or any legal claim for compensation. Read more >>and Read more >> - European Commission Confirms That No Derogation Allows
for The Transfer of Banknotes to Russia: On September 27,
the European Commission reaffirmed that there is no derogation to
the prohibition to sell, supply, transfer, or export to Russia of
banknotes denominated in any official currency of a Member State or
to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia or for any
use in Russia. Member States are responsible for the implementation
of EU sanctions and must take the necessary measures to make sure
that sanctions are applied, including by carrying out
investigations. Read more >>and Read more >>
III. UK SANCTIONS
- UK and EU Russia-connected Iron and Steel Ban to Come
into Force: On September 30, 2023, the Russia-connected
iron and steel bans announced by the UK and EU will come into force
prohibiting the import of iron and steel products from third
countries which originate from Russia or are processed from Russian
iron and steel. Companies are also required to provide evidence
that this is not the case. UK Department for Business & Trade
and Department for International Trade published guidance on the
measures earlier this month, providing examples of what would/would
not be prohibited. Read more >> - OFSI Amends One UK Sanctions Designation: On
September 27, 2023, OFSI amended one entry in the UK Sanctions
List. The entry for Alexei Kozlov was updated, and he remains
subject to an asset freeze and trust services sanctions. Read more >> - UK, along with E5 nations, Issues Joint Guidance on
Countering Russian Evasion of Export Controls: On
September 26, 2023, the E5 issued joint guidance to industry and
academia identifying high priority items critical to Russian
weapons systems and urging specific actions to prevent diversion of
these items to Russia through third countries. The guidance
provides a list of 45 prioritised Harmonised System (HS) codes
containing items Russia needs for its weapons systems. The guidance
then identifies patterns associated with importers in non-GECC
(Global Export Control Coalition) countries that may raise (i)
diversion concerns, (ii) due diligence tips for screening such
parties, and (iii) red flag indicators that may be relevant to
exporters to assist in determining whether an activity may be
connected to export control and/or sanctions evasion. Read more >>and Read more >> - OFSI Issues General Licence for Payments to Water
Companies: On September 21, 2023, OFSI issued General
Licence INT/2023/3179120, which permits, among other things, any
person designated under UK autonomous sanctions regulations to pay
water companies for water and sewage services, subject to certain
conditions. Read more >> - UK Government Updates High Priority Items
Lists: On September 21, 2023, the UK’s FCDO updated
its list of controlled “common high priority” items (i.e.
items identified as critical to Russia’s war effort) by (i)
adding 7 new product codes, including bearings needed for heavy
vehicles or other machinery and antennae used for navigation
systems and (ii) dividing Tier 3 of the list into mechanical and
non-mechanical items. Read more >> - OFSI Updates 4 Russian Sanctions Designations:
On September 19, 2023, OFSI amended one and corrected three entries
in the UK Sanctions List. The entries for the following individuals
were updated: (i) Mikhail Maratovic Fridman, (ii) Zarakh
Binsionovich Iliev, (iii) Igor Viktorovich Makarov and (iv)
Iskander Kakhramonovich Makhmudov. All of these individuals remain
subject to an asset freeze and trust services sanctions. Read more >> - UK, along with Other G7 nations, to Introduce Russia
Diamonds Import Ban: On September 18, 2023, a Belgian
official announced that a ban on imports of Russian diamonds is
expected to be agreed by the G7 in the next two or three weeks.
According to the official, there would be a direct ban on purchases
from 1 January 2024 as well as an indirect ban, which would be
phased in over time. Earlier in 2023, the UK Prime Minister banned
the import of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminium, and nickel. Read more >>and Read more >> - UK Government Proscribes Wagner Group as Terrorist
Organization: On September 15, 2023, the UK Government
proscribed the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation. Actively
supporting and/or belonging to the Wagner Group is now a criminal
offence that could be punished by imprisonment of up to 14 years
and/or a fine. Read more >> - The UK and US Extend Sakhalin-2 Project Sanctions
Exemption: On September 14, 2023, the UK Government
amended General Licence INT/2022/2470156 to extend the exemption of
oil originating in or consigned from Sakhalin-2 from the oil price
cap until 28 June 2024. The relevant part of the General License
authorises the supply or delivery of Russian oil (and the provision
of related services) originating in or consigned from Sakhalin-2
from a place in Russia to a place in Japan. Read more >>and Read more >> - UK Lords Committee Calls for Evidence on UK-EU
Cooperation on Sanctions for Inquiry: On September 12,
2023, the UK House of Lords European Affairs Committee launched an
inquiry into the long-term implications for the UK of the EU’s
foreign and security policy response to the Russian invasion of
Ukraine, including UK-EU cooperation on sanctions, and their
enforcement and effectiveness. The Committee has issued a call for
evidence, inviting interested individuals and organisations to
submit written evidence to the inquiry by 27 October 2023. The
Committee encourages anyone with expertise in or experience of the
matters under consideration in its inquiry to submit written
evidence. Read more >>and Read more >> - UK Government Provides Guidance on Russian Iron and
Steel Processed in Third Countries: On September 8, 2023,
the UK Government published guidance on the scope of the measures
related to Russian iron and steel processed in third countries
(which will come into force on 30 September 2023). The notice sets
out inter alia: (i) what evidence traders need to provide
to demonstrate compliance; (ii) what constitutes an “iron and
steel” product; (iii) examples of how the rules may be applied
in practice; and (iv) corresponding licensing provisions. Read more >> - UK Sanctions 11 Members of the Russia-based Trickbot
Cybercrime Gang: On September 7, 2023, OFSI added 11
individuals to the UK sanctions list in a coordinated effort with
the United States. The individuals are connected to the Russian
cyber criminal gang behind the Trickbot/Conti ransomware attacks
that targeted hospitals and other critical infrastructure during
the Covid-19 Pandemic. Those sanctioned have been targeted with
asset freezes and travel bans by UK authorities to counter the
threat of ransomware both in the UK and abroad. The National Crime
Agency (NCA), who conducted a complex investigation into these
individuals, assesses that the group was responsible for extorting
at least $180 million from victims globally, and at least £27
million from 149 UK victims. Read more >>and Read more >> - FCA Publishes Review of the Sanctions Systems of
Financial Services Firms: On September 7, 2023, the UK
Financial Conduct Authority published a review of the sanctions
systems and controls in place in over 90 financial services firms.
The review found that (i) there were good practices, such as firms
who conducted risk exposure assessments in advance of the Russian
invasion of Ukraine, and firms who conducted sample testing and
tuning, (ii) governance and oversight needed to be improved in many
firms, there was an over-reliance on third party sanctions
screening tools, and in some global firms, global policies were not
aligned with the UK sanctions regime, (iii) many firms had
significant backlogs in the assessment of alerts from sanctions
screening, some firms had inadequate internal expertise, and some
firms had inadequate screening capabilities, and (iv) there were
low quality Customer Due Diligence and Know your Customer
assessments and inconsistencies in reporting breaches to the FCA.
Read more >> - UK Says It Will Declare Russia’s Wagner Group a
Banned Terrorist Organisation: On September 6, 2023, Great
Britain announced that it will declare Russia’s Wagner
mercenary group a banned terrorist organization, saying it remains
a threat to global security even after the death of leader Yevgeny
Prigozhin. The government said an order will be introduced in
Parliament to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act. The
designation, once approved by lawmakers, will bar membership in or
support for Wagner, which has played a major fighting role in
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It has also operated in Syria and
several African countries. The ban will allow UK authorities to
seize the organization’s assets, though that power is largely
symbolic as Wagner is not known to operate in Britain. The move
follows a recommendation by Parliament’s influential Foreign
Affairs Committee in July that Wagner be outlawed. The committee
said British authorities had “underplayed and
underestimated” the threat posed by the mercenary group. Read more >>
IV. RUSSIA/UKRAINE SANCTIONS
- Russia Dodges G7 Price Cap Sanctions on Most of Its Oil
Exports: Russia has succeeded in avoiding G7 sanctions on
most of its oil exports, a shift in trade flows that will boost the
Kremlin’s revenues as crude rises towards $100 a barrel. Almost
three-quarters of all seaborne Russian crude flows travelled
without western insurance in August, a lever used to enforce the
G7’s $60-a-barrel oil price cap. The rise implies that Moscow
is becoming more adept at circumventing the cap, allowing it to
sell more of its oil at prices closer to international market
rates. Read more >> - Putin Extends 2014 Anti-Sanctions Measure Until the End
of Next Year: Russian President Vladimir Putin extended
the decree on response measures to Western sanctions until December
31, 2024. The new decree extends the duration of the food embargo
introduced in 2014. These restrictions were a response to Western
sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea to Russia, and
covers beef, pork, poultry, fish, seafood, cheeses, milk, fruits,
vegetables, etc. Read more >> - Russia Bans Entry to 23 British Individuals:
On September 27, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
added 23 British individuals to its “stop list”, banning
their entry into Russia. The full list of names was not published,
but the individuals are members of the UK’s military,
political, media, and academic communities, and certain individuals
were named, including: (i) Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir
Tony Radakin, (ii) Madeleine Alessandri, chair of the Joint
Intelligence Committee, and (iii) Cressida Hogg, chair of British
defence contractor BAE Systems. Read more >> - Russia Suspends Fuel Exports Amid Shortages:
On September 21, 2023, Russia announced that it had suspended
exports of gasoline and diesel fuel to curb price hikes during
harvest season amid reports of gasoline shortages in the
country’s southern regions. The government’s press service
stated that the move was a “temporary measure” in order
to stabilise domestic prices. Fuel prices had risen due to high
prices on world markets, devaluation of the rouble and a sharp
reduction in the fuel damper by the government. Read more >> - Putin Extends Gas Price Limit for Gazprom’s Joint
Venture with Wintershall and ÖMV: Russian President
Vladimir Putin extended until October 1, 2024, a decree prohibiting
Gazprom from buying gas from joint ventures with the German
Wintershall Dea and the Austrian ÖMV above the fixed maximum
price. The initial description began to operate on March 1, 2022.
Read more >> - Russian Central Bank Extends Restrictions on Transfers
of Non-Residents from “Unfriendly” Countries:
Transfers abroad of funds of non-residents – both individuals and
legal entities – from unfriendly countries from the accounts of
brokers and trustees will be limited from October 1 for another six
months, according to an order of the Central Bank of Russia. The
regulator emphasized that the decision was made to maintain
financial stability. On April 1, 2022, the Bank of Russia limited
the transfers abroad of funds of non-resident individuals and legal
entities from unfriendly countries from the accounts of Russian
brokers. Read more >> - Kremlin Has Blocked 18 Billion Dollars in Profits of
Companies from “Unfriendly” Countries: Western
companies that have continued to operate in Russia since
Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have generated billions
of dollars in profits, but the Kremlin has blocked them from
accessing the cash in an effort to turn the screw on
“unfriendly” nations. Groups from such countries
accounted for $18bn of the $20bn in Russian profits that overseas
companies reported for 2022 alone. Local earnings of companies have
been locked in Russia since the imposition last year of a dividend
payout ban on businesses from “unfriendly” countries
including the US, UK and all EU members. While such transactions
can be approved under exceptional circumstances, few withdrawal
permits have been issued. Read more >> - Russia Raises Interest Rates to 13% Amid Inflation
Concerns: Russia’s Central Bank raised interest rates
from 12% to 13% on Friday as it said it remains concerned about an
inflationary spiral taking hold across the Russian economy. The
move is the second rate hike in two months following an emergency
meeting in August held after the Russian ruble fell below 100
against the US dollar. The ruble has since dipped just below the
crucial level — seen as a barometer of economic health by
many Russians — but has failed to strengthen significantly. A
falling currency pushes up the price of goods that use imported
parts. Meanwhile, record labor shortages are driving wages higher,
which also adds to price concerns. Read more >> - State Property Fund of Ukraine Issues a Register of
Sanctioned Assets: The Digital Transformation Office of
the State Property Fund has launched a website that contains a list
of all seized assets of Russians and collaborators that have been
transferred to the Fund’s management. The register contains
information on 136 sanctioned assets and is available at the
following link: www.sanlist.spfu.gov.ua. Read more >> - Ukraine Confiscated the Property of 28 Sanctioned
Persons in One Year: The Supreme Anti-corruption Court of
Ukraine transferred property of 28 natural and legal persons
subject to sanctions to the state possession between 1 September
2022 and 1 September 2023. During the year, the Ministry of Justice
of Ukraine filed 29 lawsuits for the recovery of assets into the
state’s possession, 28 of them were satisfied (in the first
instance). 25 of the adopted decisions have already entered into
legal force, the rest are either under appeal or at the stage of
entry into force. Read more >> - Aeroflot Settles Dispute with an Irish Lessor over 18
Aircraft: The Russian airline Aeroflot has completed a
settlement of the dispute with the Irish company AerCap regarding
18 aircraft that were leased from it. Ownership of the aircraft and
engines passed to NSK Insurance Company LLC, which paid the amount
for the aircraft to settle the dispute. The company’s press
service clarified that they continue negotiations with other
lessors to resolve disputes regarding other aircraft. Read more >> - Moscow Court Declines to Hear US Reporter
Gershkovich’s New Appeal against Detention: On
September 19, 2023, Moscow City Court declined to hear US reporter
Evan Gershkovich’s latest appeal against his pre-trial
detention on spying charges, sending it back to the Lefortovo
district court citing procedural violations. Gershkovich, a
reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested on March 29,
2023, in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage
that carry up to 20 years in prison. No date has been set for his
trial, and in August, 2023, his detention in Moscow’s Lefortovo
prison was extended by three months to November 30. Read more >> - Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Vetoes New Asset Declaration
Bill Amid Ongoing Struggle against Graft: On September 12,
2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vetoed legislation
that allowed officials to continue not disclosing their assets, as
Kyiv struggles to clamp down on corruption and assure allies that
it’s committed to fighting graft. The announcement came days
after Zelenskyy pushed out his defense minister and shuffled
several other top officials amid growing concerns that corruption
and embezzlement have continued despite the ongoing Russian
invasion. Read more >>
V. OTHER NOTABLE DEVELOPMENTS
- Canada Imposes 63 Sanctions against Russia Individuals
and Entities: On September 22, 2023, Canadian Prime
Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced 63 sanctions against Russian
individuals and legal entities during Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky’s visit to Canada. The individuals and entities were
involved in the illegal movement and detention of Ukrainian
children, the generation and dissemination of disinformation and
propaganda, as well as the nuclear programs of the Russian
federation. Read more >> - Australia Backs International Court Action against
Russia: On September 21, 2023, Australia’s
solicitor-general, Stephen Donaghue, made an appearance at the
International Court of Justice to argue the Court has jurisdiction
to hear a case against Russia for its “illegal and
immoral” invasion of Ukraine. The case involves Ukraine’s
claim that alleges Russia violated the Convention on the Prevention
and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to which both Ukraine and
Russia are parties. Read more >> - South Korea, Japan, and US Agree to Take Stern Measures
against Potential Arms Deal Between Russia and North
Korea: On September 22, 2023, Seoul’s Foreign
Minister, Park Jin, US Secretary, Anthony Blinken, and Japanese
Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, met to express deep concerns over
Russia and North Korea’s military cooperation and agreed to
respond firmly to any acts that threaten regional security in
violation of the U.N. Security Council resolution. Read more >> - Kazakhstan Promises to Follow Sanctions Regime against
Russia: Kazakhstan “will definitely follow” the
sanctions regime against Russia, President of the Republic
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a press conference after negotiations
with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Since April of this year,
Kazakhstan began to require the issuance of accompanying invoices
for goods when trading with EAEU countries. The measure was taken
to prevent circumvention of anti-Russian sanctions and limit
parallel imports. Read more >> - Trudeau Pledges Canada’s Support for Ukraine and
Punishment for Russia: On September 23, 2023, Canada’s
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced several support measures
for Ukraine including military, economic, and humanitarian
assistance. Canada’s pledge to stand with Ukraine will include
$650 million in new military assistance over the next three years.
This assistance will include providing Ukraine with 50 armoured
vehicles, pilot and maintenance instructors for F-16 fighter jets,
support for Leopard 2 battle tank maintenance, 35 drones with
high-resolution cameras, light vehicles, and ammunition. Canada and
Ukraine also agreed to establish a working group with G7 partners
to study seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including those
from the Russian Central Bank. Read more >> - Japan Commits to Complying with US Sanctions Despite
Energy Concerns: On September 19, 2023, Japan’s Chief
Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, confirmed that Japan will
ensure a stable and steady energy supply while complying with US
sanctions related to Russia’s Artic LNG 2 Project, where
Mitsui, a Japanese Trading Company, and JOGMEC, a state-owned Japan
organization, were set to receive a combined 2 million metric tons
of liquefied natural gas per year from the Russian project. Read more >> - International Criminal Court Opens Field Office in Kyiv
to Track Russian War Crimes: On September 14, 2023,
Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office announced that the
International Criminal Court (ICC) had opened a field office in
Kyiv as part of efforts to hold Russian forces accountable for
potential war crimes committed during its invasion of Ukraine. The
office in the Ukrainian capital is the ICC’s largest outside of
The Hague and has opened after it has been reported that more than
104,000 war crimes had been registered during Russia’s
aggression against Ukraine. Read more >> - Kim Tells Putin That Russia Has North Korea’s
‘Full and Unconditional Support’: On September 13,
2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with North Korean
leader Kim Jong Un, who offered his country’s “full and
unconditional support” to defend what he said was Russia’s
security interests, in an apparent reference to Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine. Putin showed Kim around Russia’s most
advanced space rocket launch site in Russia’s Far East and
discussed the possibility of sending a North Korean cosmonaut into
space. Read more >>and Read more >>
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