A bill that would sanction Russia and its supporters if Moscow rejects peace talks with Ukraine had gained the support of about 80 senators, or four-fifths of the Senate, as of May 22.
The U.K. this week renewed its Russia sanctions license that authorizes certain payments to charities linked to sanctioned parties. The license authorizes transactions by interim managers or trustees appointed by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Under the license, which now runs through May 30, 2028, interim managers or trustees may authorize payments for the basic needs of the charity, to disperse charitable funds and to "wind up" the charity. The license was scheduled to expire May 30.
The EU issued a new set of sanctions this week for people and entities with ties to chemical weapons, human rights abuses and Russian "hybrid threats." The additions were announced concurrently with the bloc's 17th sanctions package on Russia (see 2505200057).
Poland seized 5 tons of Boeing commercial aircraft tires that were scheduled to illegally transit through Russia and Belarus in possible violation of EU sanctions, the country’s customs agency said this week, according to an unofficial translation. Customs authorities discovered the tires after inspecting a truck in Koroszczyn, near Poland’s border with Belarus, and found that the truck wasn’t transporting its declared car and bus tires. The sender of the tires was a company based in Spain, and the recipient was listed in Azerbaijan, the agency said. Poland is investigating the case for sanctions violations, it said, and also launched “tax criminal proceedings” for “customs fraud.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s recent decision to lift sanctions on Syria (see 2505130061), saying the country’s transitional authority might collapse in weeks or months without outside assistance, a situation that could lead to civil war.
The U.K. on May 20 added 82 entries to its Russia sanctions regime and seven entries to its global human rights sanctions list. The additions to the Russia sanctions list include 20 individuals and 62 entities and cover dozens of financial services companies and their executives, along with Chinese entities Electronic Scientific Engineering, Innopolis, Shanghai New Chess Co. and Shanghai New Chess Int'l Logistics Co.
The EU officially approved a new Russia sanctions package this week, targeting hundreds of ships, people and entities while adding new items to its export control list.
The Bureau of Industry and Security suspended the export privileges of six people after they were convicted of export-related offenses, including illegal shipments to companies owned by a sanctioned Russian oligarch and the smuggling of firearms and engine parts to Mexico. The suspensions took effect from the date of their convictions.
The Center for a New American Security has named Kurt Campbell, former deputy secretary of state, and Anne Neuberger, former deputy national security adviser, to its board of directors. Both Campbell and Neuberger join CNAS after serving in the Biden administration. Campbell helped oversee U.S. efforts to reduce defense trade restrictions with Australia and the U.K. under the AUKUS partnership (see 2404030050 and 2409180025) and worked on Russia-related sanctions issues (see 2407300033).
The EU has agreed to a 17th package of sanctions against Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said May 14 on social media. The package includes more restrictions on Russian access to "battlefield technology" and the designations of 189 so-called shadow fleet vessels helping Russia move energy exports, she said. "This war has to end," von der Leyen said. "We will keep the pressure high on the Kremlin." The EU didn't immediately release more information about the measures, which are expected to be formally released in the coming days.