Trump extends Russia sanctions for another year

US President Donald Trump has decided to extend a series of sanctions against Russia for another year. These restrictions were enacted at different times: in 2014 by Barack Obama, in 2018 by Trump himself, and in 2022 by Joe Biden.

The explanatory note attached to the document regarding the extension of the sanctions states, “The actions and policies referenced in these decisions continue to pose an extraordinary and urgent threat to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.”

The sanctions extended by Trump were initially imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2014. In subsequent years, these restrictions were expanded to include more individuals and entities supporting Russian policy in the region.

In 2018, the Trump administration implemented new sanctions to increase pressure on Moscow, while in 2022, President Biden further expanded the sanctions list following the military intervention in Ukraine.

Trump stated on February 26 that sanctions against Russia would remain in effect until peace is achieved in Ukrainian territory. The US President emphasized that any potential easing could only be considered after the conflict ends.

Furthermore, Trump indicated that as part of negotiations to end the conflict, Washington would demand the return to Kyiv of some territories under the control of Russian forces.

Last month, Trump raised the possibility of imposing additional sanctions if Moscow refuses negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.

According to X-Compliance statistics, the number of Russian targets on foreign sanctions lists increased by more than 2,000 individuals in the past year. As of December 31, 2024, the sanctions lists created by the United Nations, US, EU, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Czechia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Japan, China, and Ukraine included a total of 37,231 individuals and entities.

Of these, 17,347 are from Russia, and 19,879 are from other countries. The sanctions list includes 9,213 Russian citizens and 8,134 Russian companies (at the beginning of the year, these numbers were 8,410 and 6,821, respectively).

The main areas of activity of Russian companies included in the sanctions lists are as follows: Wholesale trade 14.7%; scientific research and development 9.3%; manufacture of computer, electronic and optical equipment 6.9%; financial services 5.4%; software development 5.3%.

Additionally, under the “50% rule” applied by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the European Union, and the United Kingdom (HM Treasury) sanctions regimes, restrictions are automatically applied to companies not formally on the sanctions lists but controlled by sanctioned individuals (if their ownership share is 50% or more).

As of last December, the number of Russian companies at risk of sanctions under this principle was recorded as 5,868.