Government examines closure of Russian sanction loopholes

Sanctions or 'restrictive measures' include asset freezes, travel bans, arms embargoes, import and export restrictions, and banking restrictions.

The Government is examining how it can implement EU proposals aimed at closing legal loopholes that are thwarting efforts to bring to account Russian individuals and companies breaching sanctions over Ukraine.

The European Commission has told member states that while there is a multitude of sanctions in place targeting Russian and Belarussian people and businesses, “very few” of them are being held accountable for breaking sanctions.