International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War

Countries that have introduced sanctions against Russian or Ukrainian citizens or corporations

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  Russia

  Countries that have introduced sanctions

  Countries who are part of the EU who introduced sanctions

During the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, a number of governments applied sanctions against individuals and businesses from Russia and Ukraine. Sanctions were approved by the United States, the European Union (EU) and other countries and international organisations. Russia has responded with sanctions against a number of countries, including a total ban on food imports from the EU, United States, Norway, Canada and Australia.

Background

Main articles: 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, 2014 Crimean crisis, and War in Donbass

In response to the Crimean Crisis and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, some governments, led by the United States and European Union, imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and businesses. As the unrest expanded into parts of Eastern Ukraine, and later escalated into the ongoing War in Donbass, the scope of the sanctions increased. The Russian government responded in kind, with sanctions against some Canadian and American individuals and, in August 2014, with a total ban on food imports from the European Union, United States, Norway, Canada and Australia.

Sanctions against Russia

First round of sanctions

The first sanctions issued against Russia during unrest were in March 2014, in the wake of the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. These were imposed to prevent Russian and Crimean officials and politicians travelling to Canada, the United States, and the European Union. They were the most wide-ranging used on Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. Japan also announced sanctions against Russia. These included the suspension of talks regarding to military matters, space, investment, and visa requirements. In early April, Albania, Iceland and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine, decided to follow the EU and impose the same restrictions and travel bans issued by the EU on 17 March. In response to the sanctions introduced by the US and EU, the State Duma (Russian parliament) unanimously passed a resolution asking for all members of the Duma to be included on the sanctions list. The sanctions were expanded to include prominent Russian businessmen and women a few days later.

Second round of sanctions

On 28 April, the United States imposed a ban on business transactions within its territory on seven Russian officials, including Igor Sechin, and seventeen Russian companies. On the same day, the European Union issued travel bans against a further fifteen individuals. In connection with this, the EU issued a paper stating the aims of the sanctions. The EU states that their "sanctions are not punitive, but designed to bring about a change in policy or activity by the target country, entities or individuals. Measures are therefore always targeted at such policies or activities, the means to conduct them and those responsible for them. At the same time, the EU makes every effort to minimise adverse consequences for the civilian population or for legitimate activities".

Third round of sanctions

In response to the escalating War in Donbass, the United States extended its transactions ban to two major Russian energy firms, Rosneft and Novatek, and two banks, Gazprombank and Vneshekonombank on 17 July. On 25 July, the EU again expanded its sanctions to an additional fifteen individuals and eighteen entities, followed by an additional eight individuals and three entities on 30 July. On 31 July 2014 the EU introduced the third round of sanctions, against certain sectors of Russia's economy. Sanctions included financial sector (all majority government-owned Russian banks), trade restrictions relating to the Russian energy and defence industries, and additional individuals and entities designated under the EU asset freezing provisions.

On 12 August 2014 Norway has decided to adopt the tougher sanctions against Russia that were imposed by the EU and the US on 12 August 2014. Although Norway is not part of the EU, the Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende said that the country will impose restrictions on Russia of a similar nature to those imposed by the EU on 1 August 2014. Russian state-owned banks will be banned from taking long-term and mid-term loans, arms exports will be banned and supplies of equipment, technology and assistance to the Russian oil sector will be prohibited.

On 24 July 2014, Canada announced sanctions targeting Russian arms, energy and financial entities.

On 5 August 2014, Japan decided to freeze the assets of “individuals and groups supporting the separation of Crimea from Ukraine” and restrict imports from Crimea. Japan will additionally freeze funds for new projects in Russia in line with the policy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

On 19 March, Australia imposed sanctions on Russia after annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The Australian Government imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on those who have been instrumental in the Russian threat to Ukraine sovereignty. On 8 August 2014 Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, announced that Australia is ‘working towards’ tougher sanctions against Russia, which should be implemented in the coming weeks.

On 14 August 2014 Switzerland expanded sanctions against Russia over its threat to Ukraine's sovereignty. Swiss government added 26 more Russians and pro-Russian Ukrainians to the list of sanctioned Russian citizens that was first announced after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. On 27August 2014 Switzerland expanded their sanctions against Russia. The Swiss government said it is expanding measures to prevent the circumvention of sanctions relating to the situation in Ukraine to include the third round of sanctions imposed by the European Union in July. The Swiss government also said in a statement that five Russian banks (Sberbank, VTB, Vneshekonobank, Gazprombank and Rosselkhoz) will require authorisation to issue long-term financial instruments in Switzerland.

On 14 August 2014 Ukraine passed Law that introduced Ukrainian sanctions against Russia. The Law includes 172 individuals and 65 entities in Russia and other countries for supporting and financing "terrorism" in Ukraine, though actual sanctions would need approval from Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

Sanctions by Russia

Three days after the first sanctions against Russia, on 20 March 2014, the Russian Foreign Ministry published a list of reciprocal sanctions against certain American citizens, which consisted of 10 names, including Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner, Senator John McCain, and two advisers to Barack Obama. The ministry said in the statement, "Treating our country in such way, as Washington could have already ascertained, is inappropriate and counterproductive", and reiterated that sanctions against Russia would have a boomerang effect. On 24 March, Russia imposed sanctions on thirteen Canadian officials including members of the Parliament of Canada, banning them from entering the country.

On 6 August 2014, Putin signed a decree "On the use of specific economic measures", which mandated an effective embargo for a one-year period on imports of most of the agricultural products whose country of origin had either "adopted the decision on introduction of economic sanctions in respect of Russian legal and (or) physical entities, or joined same". The next day, the Russian government ordinance was adopted and published with immediate effect, which specified the banned items as well as the countries of provenance: the United States, the European Union, Norway, Canada and Australia, including a ban on fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports. Prior to the embargo, food exports from the European Union to Russia were worth around €11.8 billion, or 10% of the total. Food exports from the United States to Russia were worth around €972 million. Food exports from Canada were worth around €385 million. Russia had previously taken a position that it would not engage in "tit-for-tat" sanctions, but, announcing the embargo, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said "There is nothing good in sanctions and it was not an easy decision to take, but we had to do it." He indicated that sanctions relating to the transport manufacturing sector were also being considered. United States Treasury spokesperson David Cohen said that sanctions affecting access to food were "not something that the US and its allies would ever do".

On the same day, Russia announced a ban on the use of its airspace by Ukrainian aircraft.

List of sanctioned individuals

Main article: List of individuals sanctioned during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine

Sanctioned individual include notable and high-level central government personnel on all sides. In addition, companies suggested for possible involvement in the controversial issues have also been sanctioned.