EU Restrictive Measures Imposed on the Russian Federation and Belarus

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has imposed restrictive measures on the Russian Federation and Belarus. These measures and useful links are outlined below.

EU Restrictive Measures

Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures (sanctions) against Russia, initially in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine. On 23 February 2022, the EU expanded the sanctions in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those areas. After 24 February 2022, in response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the EU massively expanded the sanctions. It added a significant number of persons and entities to the sanctions list, and adopted unprecedented measures with the aim of significantly weakening Russia’s economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war.

In parallel, the EU sanctions regime concerning Belarus has been expanded in response to that country’s involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and in addition to the sanctions already in place in view of the situation in Belarus. This sanctions regime consists of an array of financial, economic and trade measures.

To date, the EU has adopted thirteen packages imposing restrictive measures on the Russian Federation and Belarus since 23 February 2022.

The Department of Finance has requested that all entities familiarise themselves with the measures introduced and how they can comply with the sanctions. The relevant Statutory Instruments are, or will be shortly, available on the Irish Statute Book. Further information on restrictive measures can be viewed also at:

• The Central Bank of Ireland.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department of Foreign Affairs webpage also includes domestic guidance on the implementation of sanctions.
• The measures agreed at an EU level are outlined on the EU Council
• The European Commission website, from which Frequently Asked Questions documents are available

The Department of Finance reminds all entities to monitor the websites referenced above closely in the event that further information is available or further restrictive measures are adopted.

EU Sanctions Whistle-Blower Tool

The EU sanctions whistle-blower tool is accessible via the European Commission’s website. It facilitates the anonymous reporting of possible violations of EU sanctions. It can be used to report past, ongoing or planned sanctions violations, as well as attempts to circumvent EU sanctions. More details about the tool are available here.

European Commission Guidance

The European Commission provides guidance concerning sanctions adopted following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and Belarus’ involvement in it. The Commission also recommend consulting the Commission Guidance Note on the implementation of certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, in case queries may be answered there. The Commission has also published extension FAQs covering a broad range of topics and continues to update them, in order to assist stakeholders on how to apply the sanctions packages.