Russia energy sanctions are shifting from blanket bans to discretion and licensed carve-outs
What landed this week
Live this week (announced 2026-09-28 or later) (13)
- 2026-09-28-eu-council-implementing-regulation-2191-drc-afc-un-alignment: EU aligns Alliance Fleuve Congo and four individuals with UN sanctions under DRC restrictive-measures regime (Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2191)
- 2026-09-28-eu-council-regulation-2184-ukraine-children-deportation-sanctions: EU lists 10 individuals and 17 entities over forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia
- 2026-09-28-eu-council-regulation-2193-russia-yabloko-human-rights-sanctions: EU lists 10 Russian judges, prosecutors and officials over the barring of Yabloko from the State Duma elections
- 2026-09-29-china-mofcom-2027-auto-motorcycle-export-license-declaration: China MOFCOM Notice on 2027 Automobile and Motorcycle Export Licence Declaration Work (Trade Letter [2026] No. 404)
- 2026-09-29-peru-minem-dja-mining-exploration-environmental-streamlining: Peru MINEM proposes Declaración Jurada Ambiental (DJA) to fast-track environmental permitting for small-scale mining exploration
- 2026-09-30-india-dgft-rodtep-scheme-extension-dec2026: India Extends RoDTEP Export Duty-Remission Scheme to December 31, 2026
- 2026-09-30-india-ministry-mines-offshore-mineral-auction-andaman-sea: India Ministry of Mines launches first offshore mineral block auction (Andaman Sea)
- 2026-10-01-uk-dbt-otsi-general-trade-licences-lng-japan-south-korea: UK extends Sakhalin-2 LNG shipping carve-out for Japan and South Korea to March 2028
- 2026-10-01-uk-fcdo-russia-sanctions-23-entities-8-vessels: UK designates 23 individuals/entities and 8 vessels under Russia sanctions regime - war chest, disinformation, child deportation, torture
- 2026-10-01-us-state-itar-syria-policy-denial-removal: International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Syria Country Policy Revision
- 2026-10-02-eu-bulgaria-sa124701-fuel-fertiliser-farmer-aid: EU / Bulgaria - SA.124701: EUR 170 Million METSAF Aid for Farmers Facing Fuel/Fertiliser Cost Increases
- 2026-10-02-peru-ds-018-2026-em-minem-ingemmet-ipen-reorganization: Peru DS 018-2026-EM - MINEM, Ingemmet and IPEN placed into 120-day modernization and reorganization process
- 2026-10-03-china-mofcom-announcement-44-para-nitrotoluene-eu-antidumping-initiation: China MOFCOM initiates anti-dumping investigation into EU-origin para-nitrotoluene
Filed this week from earlier dates (2022 to 2026-09-18) (46)
- 2022-02-23-eu-council-regulation-2022-263-donetsk-luhansk-ngca-import-export-ban: EU Council Regulation 2022/263 - import ban and export restrictions on non-government-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk
- 2022-02-24-uk-russia-sanctions-vtb-oligarchs-defense-firms: UK Imposes Sanctions on VTB Bank, 100+ Oligarchs/Companies, and Five Russian Defence Firms Following Invasion of Ukraine
- 2022-02-25-eu-council-regulation-328-dual-use-oil-refining-aviation-export-ban-russia: EU Council Regulation 2022/328 - dual-use, oil-refining and aviation export ban on Russia
- 2022-02-28-south-korea-russia-strategic-items-export-control-swift: South Korea Announces Export Control Tightening on Strategic Items to Russia and Joins SWIFT Exclusion
- 2022-02-28-switzerland-federal-council-donetsk-luhansk-import-export-investment-ban: Switzerland - Federal Council extends Crimea/Sevastopol import, export and investment ban to non-government-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk
- 2022-03-04-switzerland-total-revision-ukraine-ordinance-aviation-space-oil-refining-dual-use-ban: Switzerland Total-Revises Ukraine Ordinance: Bans All Dual-Use Exports, Adds Aviation, Space and Oil-Refining Controls on Russia
- 2022-03-06-south-korea-export-control-belarus: South Korea Extends Strategic-Items Export Control and Parties-of-Concern Designation to Belarus
- 2022-03-24-canada-sor-2022-67-restricted-goods-technologies-russia-export-ban: Canada: SEMA Russia Regulations amendment (SOR/2022-067) - Restricted Goods and Technologies List export ban
- 2022-04-04-australia-export-sanctioned-goods-russia-amendment-no1: Australia: Autonomous Sanctions (Export Sanctioned Goods-Russia) Amendment (No.1) Designation 2022
- 2022-04-05-canada-sema-belarus-sor-2022-75-insurance-export-ban: Canada: SEMA Belarus Regulations amendment (SOR/2022-075) - aviation insurance ban and Restricted Goods and Technologies List export ban
- 2022-04-14-uk-russia-sanctions-amendment-8-luxury-goods-export-ban: UK: Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2022 - luxury goods export ban
- 2022-05-18-canada-sema-russia-sor-2022-102-luxury-weapons-goods-export-ban: Canada: SEMA Russia Regulations amendment (SOR/2022-102) - luxury goods and weapons-production goods export ban
- 2022-06-03-eu-council-regulation-879-6th-russia-sanctions-package-oil-embargo: EU Council Regulation 2022/879 - 6th Russia sanctions package (seaborne oil embargo, SWIFT expansion, consulting-services ban)
- 2022-06-27-canada-sema-belarus-sor-2022-167-luxury-weapons-technology-export-ban: Canada: SEMA Belarus Regulations amendment (SOR/2022-167) - luxury, weapons-production and advanced-technology goods export ban
- 2022-07-05-uk-belarus-sanctions-eu-exit-amendment-regulations-2022: UK Belarus Sanctions (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 - Dual-Use/Critical Goods Export Ban, Iron and Steel Import Ban, Debt-Issuance Financial Sanctions
- 2022-10-06-eu-council-regulation-1904-8th-sanctions-package-oil-price-cap-legal-basis: EU Council Regulation 2022/1904 - Eighth Sanctions Package Against Russia (Oil Price-Cap Legal Basis, Steel/Wood/Chemicals/Firearms Import Bans, Services Ban)
- 2022-10-19-us-ofac-eo14024-orekhov-russia-procurement-network: US OFAC EO 14024 Designation - Yury Orekhov's Russian Military Technology Procurement Network (Germany, UAE)
- 2022-11-23-switzerland-seco-russia-ordinance-8th-eu-package-oil-price-cap-legal-basis: Switzerland: Eighth EU Sanctions Package Alignment - Oil Price-Cap Legal Basis, Steel/Aerospace Bans, Services Ban, Arms Embargo
- 2022-12-16-eu-council-regulation-2474-9th-russia-sanctions-package: EU Council Regulation 2022/2474 - 9th sanctions package against Russia (mining investment ban, export control expansion)
- 2023-01-25-switzerland-seco-russia-ordinance-9th-eu-package-mining-investment-ban: Switzerland: Ninth EU Sanctions Package Alignment - Russian Mining Investment Ban, Export Control Expansion
- 2023-02-24-uk-russia-sanctions-anniversary-package-si-2023-440-import-ban: UK announces one-year-anniversary Russia sanctions package - import ban on 140+ goods (SI 2023/440)
- 2023-02-25-eu-council-regulation-427-10th-russia-sanctions-package: EU Council Regulation 2023/427 - 10th sanctions package against Russia (dual-use export expansion, asphalt/rubber import ban)
- 2023-03-29-switzerland-seco-russia-ordinance-10th-eu-package-petroleum-synthetic-rubber-ban: Switzerland: Tenth EU Sanctions Package Alignment - Petroleum Products, Bitumen/Asphalt and Synthetic Rubber Import Ban
- 2023-04-24-south-korea-motie-31st-strategic-items-notice-russia-belarus: South Korea MOTIE 31st Strategic Items Notice adds 741 Russia/Belarus situational-licence items
- 2023-06-23-eu-council-regulation-2023-1214-11th-russia-sanctions-package: EU: Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1214 - 11th Russia sanctions package (export bans, anti-circumvention tool, import ban extension)
- 2023-07-28-japan-meti-russia-export-ban-18th-sanctions-round: Japan bans further exports to Russia (18th sanctions round: vehicles, drill pipes, yachts, construction minerals)
- 2023-08-16-switzerland-seco-russia-ordinance-11th-eu-package-alignment: Switzerland: SECO amends Ukraine Ordinance to align with EU 11th Russia sanctions package
- 2023-11-02-us-bis-entity-list-13-additions-russia-uav-uzbekistan: US BIS Entity List: 13 Entities Added - Russia UAV Procurement Network and Uzbekistan Transshipment (November 2023)
- 2024-02-20-south-korea-motie-33rd-strategic-items-notice-russia-belarus: South Korea MOTIE 33rd Strategic Items Notice adds 682 Russia/Belarus situational-licence items (1,159 total)
- 2024-02-23-eu-council-regulation-2024-745-13th-russia-sanctions-package: EU: Council Regulation (EU) 2024/745 - 13th Russia sanctions package (extended export bans, anti-circumvention entity listings)
- 2024-03-01-switzerland-seco-russia-ordinance-13th-eu-package-alignment: Switzerland: SECO amends Ukraine Ordinance to align with EU 13th Russia sanctions package
- 2024-06-29-eu-council-regulation-1865-belarus-sanctions-circumvention: EU Council Regulation 2024/1865 - Belarus sanctions mirroring Russia's 14th package (import ban on gold, diamonds, helium, coal, mineral products; anti-circumvention measures)
- 2024-10-23-russia-resolution-1400-fertilizer-export-quota-h1-2025: Russia sets Dec 2024 - May 2025 mineral fertiliser export quota at 19.2 Mt (Government Resolution No. 1400)
- 2025-04-30-france-bpifrance-opella-equity-stake: Bpifrance takes 1.8% equity stake in Opella (Doliprane maker) alongside CD&R/Sanofi close
- 2025-05-02-india-dgft-notification-06-pakistan-import-ban: India DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 - blanket ban on imports from Pakistan
- 2025-10-15-uk-fcdo-russia-oil-defence-financial-sanctions-wave: UK designates Rosneft, Lukoil, 51 vessels and 39 entities in largest Russia sanctions wave since 2022
- 2026-01-16-canada-china-economic-trade-cooperation-roadmap: Canada-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap
- 2026-02-03-australia-nrfc-diraq-equity-investment: Australia's NRFC takes AUD 20 million equity stake in quantum computing startup Diraq
- 2026-02-04-brazil-bndes-weg-battery-storage-factory-loan: BNDES approves BRL 280m to support WEG's battery energy-storage-system factory in Itajaí
- 2026-04-15-tanzania-mavunde-40-mineral-licences-revocation: Tanzania Ministry of Minerals revokes 40 idle mineral exploration licences (188,163 ha; MBT reallocation)
- 2026-05-06-brazil-pl-2780-pnmce-critical-minerals-policy: Brazil PL 2780/2024 establishing the Política Nacional de Minerais Críticos e Estratégicos (PNMCE)
- 2026-06-21-us-ofac-iran-gl-x-x1-oil-relief-revoked: US OFAC issues Iran-related General License X - broad Iranian oil-sales authorization revoked 16 days later by General License X1
- 2026-08-26-us-eo-14420-bulk-power-system-national-emergency: US Executive Order 14420 - National Emergency to Secure the Bulk-Power System
- 2026-09-11-us-state-itar-cyprus-arms-embargo-suspension-renewal: Amendment to the ITAR: Prohibited Exports, Imports, and Sales to or From Certain Countries - Cyprus (FY2027 renewal of arms-embargo suspension)
- 2026-09-18-us-h1b-100k-fee-proclamation-renewal: US renews $100,000 H-1B visa fee proclamation and adds interagency program-integrity executive order
- 2026-09-18-us-sanctioning-russia-iran-act-hr5334: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (H.R. 5334, Pub. L. 119th Congress) signed into law
Cross-cutting themes
The load-bearing claim: the Russian energy-sanctions regime is being tuned through executive discretion and licensed exceptions rather than new prohibitions, so headline severity overstates what binds an investor. Two filings make the case. The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (H.R. 5334) was signed 18 September 2026 and authorizes a 500% tariff on Russian-origin goods and up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas. Per the action, all of that authority is discretionary: the President may decline by certifying national interest, and may terminate it on a durable peace. The register therefore carries the 500% figure as an authorization, not an imposed rate (primary source: govinfo enrolled text). On 1 October the UK's General Trade Licences for Sakhalin-2 LNG extended a Japan and South Korea shipping carve-out from 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2028, limited to contracts concluded before 17 June 2025 (DBT/OTSI, Japan). The same day the UK designated 23 persons and 8 vessels, including shadow-fleet LNG tankers (gov.uk). The implication: exposure to Russian energy flows is set by who holds a licence or a certification waiver, so the live variables are presidential certification under H.R. 5334 and the licence expiry dates, not the tariff ceiling.
Backfill completes the 2022 to 2024 sanctions-alignment chain. Most of this week's new files carry old announcement dates. They fill in the EU Russia packages from the 6th through the 13th, with matching Swiss ordinance alignments (for example the 9th package mining-investment ban), plus UK, Canadian and South Korean mirrors. This is register completeness, not new regime movement. Only eight added responds_to lines appear in the window and most new files carry an empty responds_to list, so the cross-jurisdiction links are still thin.
Critical-minerals access policy: opening and streamlining. India launched its first offshore mineral auction since a cancelled 2024 attempt, two Andaman Sea blocks totalling 1,632 sq km, after cutting the minimum qualified-bidder threshold from three to two (PIB). Peru proposed an automatic-approval environmental declaration for small exploration and placed MINEM, Ingemmet and IPEN into a 120-day reorganization. Both are permitting-speed measures; neither changes a tariff or licence on its own.
China trade-remedy and licensing signals. MOFCOM opened an anti-dumping probe on EU para-nitrotoluene on 3 October, six days before the scheduled EU Trade Commissioner visit to Beijing, with no provisional duties. It also opened the 2027 auto and motorcycle export-licence cycle, adding a compliance commitment letter for all applicants (MOFCOM).
What to watch next
- Whether the President certifies a national-interest waiver, or proclaims any tariff, under H.R. 5334. Until then the register treats the tariff as authorized only.
- The 1 January 2027 date when UK maritime-transport restrictions on Russian LNG apply, and the Japan and South Korea licences that run to 31 March 2028.
- The 8 to 9 October EU-China talks in Beijing and whether the para-nitrotoluene probe moves to provisional measures (MOFCOM expects to conclude by 3 October 2027).
- Bids on India's two offshore blocks, given the 2024 round drew none.
- The Peru DJA draft after its 15-day comment window, and the 60-day progress report under DS 018-2026-EM.