EU adopts seventh “maintenance and alignment” sanctions package against Russia

On the 21 July 2022, the European Council adopted a seventh sanctions package against Russia. The sanctions package intends to build on and strengthen existing economic sanctions in place and has been dubbed the “maintenance and alignment” package.

The sanctions package includes:

1. New prohibitions targeting gold and jewellery, banning the purchase, import, or transfer, be it directly or indirectly, if either good originates in Russia.
2. Extending export controls on dual use and advanced technology items which are deemed to have the capacity of contributing to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or development of its defence and security sectors.
3. An extension of an existing port access ban to locks and an expansion of the scope of the prohibition on accepting deposits to include those from legal persons, entities or bodies established in third countries and majority owned by Russian nationals and natural persons residing in Russia. These measures are aimed at stopping existing sanctions being circumvented.
4. Clarifications on existing measures, for instance in the field of public procurement, aviation and justice.

The EU has stressed that none of the measures will in any way target agricultural or food products, including wheat and fertiliser, between third countries and Russia. Nor will the measures prevent third countries and their nationals operating outside the EU from purchasing pharmaceutical or medical products from Russia.

In addition to the “maintenance and alignment” sanctions package the EU also announced, on the 22 July 2022, new sanctions targeting 54 individuals and 10 entities.

The listed individuals include senior political figures, such as the mayor of Moscow, high ranking military figures, members of the Nightwolves motorcycle club, leading businesspersons and individuals deemed to be supporting the Kremlin.

The newly sanctioned entities include Sberbank, the Nightwolves motorcycle club, companies in the military sector or shipbuilding industry, and entities which have announced they are pro-Kremlin.

The EU has also listed one individual and six entities which they claim are involved in recruiting Syrian individuals to fight in Ukraine alongside Russia troops.

The press release for the 7^th package can be found here: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts “maintenance and alignment” package - Consilium (europa.eu)

The press release for the additional sanctions can be found here: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: the EU targets additional 54 individuals and 10 entities - Consilium (europa.eu)

The relevant legal acts can be found here:

Publications Office (europa.eu)

EUR-Lex - 32022R1273 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/1273 of 21 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022R1274 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/1274 of 21 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022D1276 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1276 of 21 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022R1278 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - REGULATION (EU) 2022/1278 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022R1269 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/1269 of 21 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022R1270 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/1270 of 21 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022D1271 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1271 of 21 July 2022

EUR-Lex - 32022D1272 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) - COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1272 of 21 July 2022