On June 28, 2023, US and UK sanctions authorities jointly published a fact sheet on Russia-related sanctions to prevent the sanctions from having an unintended impact on humanitarian assistance and food security. In light of the many people around the world, including those in Ukraine, who depend upon humanitarian aid and are facing food insecurity because of Russia’s unprovoked war with Ukraine, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and His Majesty’s Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (“OFSI”) issued the fact sheet to provide additional clarity on Russia-related sanctions and the relevant authorizations, exceptions and public guidance issued by the US and UK. The fact sheet is intended to serve as a guide for humanitarian actors, non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, and companies involved in the provision of humanitarian aid, agricultural trade or the provision of medical supplies.
The joint guidance contains US and UK responses to frequently asked questions, as well as a current list of general licenses issued by the US and UK authorizing certain humanitarian transactions and activities. The fact sheet also includes a comprehensive list of humanitarian guidance reports and frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) issued by the US and UK concerning Russia-related sanctions. Anyone with additional questions regarding UK sanctions is encouraged to review the UK’s Russia Guidance, General Guidance and Charity Sector Guidance or reach out to OFSI directly, while those with inquiries regarding US sanctions are encouraged to contact OFAC directly.