Sanctions

The EU has imposed comprehensive economic sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. As an EU member state, Finland participates in the preparation and implementation of these sanctions. The sanctions have been coordinated in cooperation with partners, such as United States.

Compliance with the sanctions and related regulations is a prerequisite for all trade with Finnish companies. Products and services subject to sanctions must not end up in Russia or with individuals or organizations listed under the sanctions regime.

The sanctions include:

Export and import restrictions
Individual sanctions
Financial measures
Restrictions targeting Russia’s energy, transport and media sectors
Oil price cap mechanism on Russian seaborne crude oil and petroleum products

Related regulations

“No re-export to Russia” clause

As of 20 March 2024, EU exporters are required to include a “no re-export to Russia” clause when exporting certain sensitive goods outside the EU and designated partner countries. These goods include, for example, items related to aviation, jet fuels, firearms, and high-priority products. The clause aims to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions by contractually prohibiting the re-export of such goods to Russia or for use in Russia.

List of high priority items

The EU, together with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, has compiled a List of Common High Priority Items to closely monitor the potential circumvention of sanctions. These items include components and equipment found in Russian military systems on the battlefield in Ukraine or deemed critical for the development and production of such systems. The list is subject to regular updates.

Intellectual property rights

As of 26 December 2024, a new EU restriction concerning the transfer of intellectual property rights in connection with Russia sanctions has entered into force. Parties transferring IP rights to third-country counterparts must include a contractual clause prohibiting the re-export or use of those rights in or for Russia. This applies particularly when the IP relates to items listed in the EU’s Common High Priority Items List