Last updated - 15.12.2023
In response to the war in Ukraine, the United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and United States of America (USA) as well as other nations have adopted and continue to review sanctions against economic, financial and persons connected with and to, Russia and Belarus.
International sanctions are restrictions imposed by governments on certain types of transactions with targeted countries, persons or activities to achieve specific foreign policy or national security objectives, and can restrict a broad range of activities, including limiting the provision of certain financial services and restricting access to financial markets, funds and economic resources. The UK, EU and USA have led global actions with a constant expansion of a sanction’s regime covering a wide range of financial, economic and trade activities.
The UK Government response through the mechanism of international sanctions can be found on the following webpage: UK sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The UK Government also publishes the UK Sanctions List, which provides details of those designated under regulations made under the Sanctions Act. The list also details which sanctions measures apply to these persons or ships, and in the case of UK designations, provides a statement of reasons for the designation: The UK Sanctions List
To support this information, other selected UK guidance and lists can be found here that can be read in conjunction with the pages above.- UK sanctions relating to Russia. This page provides guidance on the UK’s sanctions regime relating to Russia.
- Russian invasion of Ukraine: UK government response. The UK government is providing a range of economic, humanitarian and defensive military assistance to Ukraine, and is imposing additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
- Russia sanctions: guidance.
With the introduction by the UK on the imports of Russian and Belarus originated iron and steel products processed in third countries, a link to a Make UK summary is provided on the Make UK page on Russia Iron and Steel Import Sanctions.
UK Government has updated its policy on trade and financial sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The guidance is here: New trade and financial sanctions against Russia come into force.
The UK Government has added the following information on new Licence requirements for sanctioned iron and steel products. This applies from 11 December and businesses will be able to use this licence to import certain prohibited goods into the UK. The information is provided in this link: General Trade Licence for sanctioned iron and steel,
For detailed enquiries, please email [email protected]
In the current circumstances, the status of these measures is subject to change daily. UK Government will keep the .Gov.UK pages above refreshed daily, according to the introduction of new sanction measures.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this summary at the date of publication, no reliance should be placed on its content, and it does not constitute legal advice. We would encourage readers to refer to the primary sources of the UK Government information for the continued update on sanction restrictions. We would encourage readers to take independent legal and financial advice on the implications of the UK sanctions regime on their UK and international economic, trade and financial operations if there is any suggestion of direct or indirect commercial connections with Russia and Belarus.