Russia is reportedly unlikely to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, following negotiations in May to extend the deal past July 18th, which is the current deadline for all parties to either extend or collapse the deal. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was initially brokered by the United Nations and Turkey between Russia

Dj Wolff
Pressure Mounting: United States and United Kingdom Impose New Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia
Following a meeting of the G7 Summit Leaders, on May 19, 2023, the United States and the United Kingdom announced a new round of sanctions and export controls against the Government of the Russian Federation (“Russia”) to continue their efforts against key sectors of Russia’s military-industrial base.
The United States Imposes New Sanctions and Export Controls Targeting Russia and Belarus, Issues Joint Compliance Guidance, and Announces Corporate Compliance with Sanctions and Export Controls as an Enforcement Priority
On February 24, 2023, the United States and other G7 nations announced a number of new sanctions and export control measures coinciding with the one-year mark of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Shortly after these expansive sanctions and export controls were announced, the Departments of Justice (“DOJ”), the Treasury (“Treasury”), and Commerce (“Commerce”) issued their…
OFAC and OFSI Issue Licenses for Humanitarian Aid in Syria and Turkey
On February 6, 2023, two massive earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.6 magnitude struck Turkey and Syria, resulting in substantial physical damage and tremendous loss of life with over 40,000 deaths as of February 14, 2023. Non-governmental organizations, the United Nations, and other non-profits have mobilized efforts to assist in disaster recovery efforts. As the search…
U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Strengthens Antiboycott Regulations
On October 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) simultaneously published a final rule strengthening the antiboycott regulations in Part 766 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (the “Final Rule”), as well as a memorandum on the new rule’s implementation (the “Final Rule Memo”), issued by the Assistant Secretary…
Sanctions/Export Highlights [As of April 14, 2022]
Russia Sanctions: The UK and EU each made over 200 additional designations. The EU designated several banks that the US previously had sanctioned, including Bank Otkritie, Novicombank, Sovcombank, and VTB Bank. Both the EU and the UK designated several oligarchs including Alexander Petaykin (associated with Trans Stroy), Evgeny Zubitskiy (Industrial Metallurgical Holding), Grigory Berezkin…
Global Trade Talks Podcast: Russia and Ukraine – Expecting the Unexpected
Global Trade Talks is a podcast that shares brief perspectives on key global issues on international trade, current events, business, law and public policy as they impact our lives. In this podcast, hosts Nicole Simonian and Ambassador Robert Holleyman talk to Crowell & Moring Partners’ Dj Wolff and Carlton Greene, who both specialize in economic …
Update: Expanded U.S. Ban on Russian Imports and Russia’s Removal from Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status
President Joseph Biden formally announced via Executive Order that the following Russian-origin goods will no longer be permitted importation into the U.S. customs territory:
- Fish, seafood, and preparations thereof;
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Non-industrial diamonds; and
- Any other products of Russian Federation-origin as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary
…
Russia Sanctions/Export Highlights [As of March 10, 2022]
Russia Sanctions: The U.S., EU, and UK continue to apply pressure on Russia through new sanctions on oligarchs and politicians and restrictions on exports. A number of other countries have implemented similar measures and continue to widen the scope of such prohibitions as the invasion continues. On a more limited scale, Belarus has also…
Breaking News: Expanded U.S. Ban on Russian Imports and Russia’s Removal from Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status
Friday, March 11, 2022 – Today, United States President Joseph Biden formally announced via Executive Order that the following Russian-origin goods will no longer be permitted importation into the U.S. customs territory:
- Fish, seafood, and preparations thereof;
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Non-industrial diamonds; and
- Any other products of Russian Federation-origin as may be determined by the Secretary
…