On August 20, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a broad executive order (E.O.) authorizing additional steps against Russia for "specified harmful foreign activities." An April 15, 2021 E.O. authorized new sanctions allowing the U.S. to target individuals and companies in Russia's defense and technology sectors, a number of Russian government officials, and those "complicit" or "indirectly engaged" in activities including, but not limited to, interference with foreign elections, cyber-attacks, corruption, and actions that "undermine democratic processes." The additional steps outlined in the new E.O. specifically address certain Russian energy and export pipelines.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) subsequently issued a related directive and added several new parties to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), including nine individuals, seven entities, and thirteen vessels. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from transacting business with parties listed on the SDN List.
The U.S. Department of State also issued a second round of sanctions under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act (CBW Act). These sanctions include restrictions on firearms, ammunition, and “nuclear and missile-related technology.”
The August 20, 2021 E.O. is available at the link here:
The OFAC press release can be found at the link here:
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20210820
The U.S. Department of State’s press release can be found here:
https://www.state.gov/u-s-imposes-additional-costs-on-russia-for-aleksey-navalny-poisoning/
The April 15, 2021 E.O. is available at the link here:
