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The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and the need to combat sanctions evasion

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 16458 | 03 July 2026

Signatories:
Mr Markus WIECHEL, Sweden, ECPA ; Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Mr Ludvig ASPLING, Sweden, ECPA ; Mr Denis BEGIC, Sweden, SOC ; Lord David BLENCATHRA, United Kingdom, ECPA ; Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ukraine, ECPA ; Mr Paweł JABŁOŃSKI, Poland, ECPA ; Mr Serhii KALCHENKO, Ukraine, ECPA ; Ms Olena KHOMENKO, Ukraine, ECPA ; Ms Iryna KONSTANKEVYCH, Ukraine, ECPA ; Mr Eerik-Niiles KROSS, Estonia, ALDE ; Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO, Ukraine, ALDE ; Ms Olena MOSHENETS, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Rónán MULLEN, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernardo PESSANHA, Portugal, ECPA ; Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Ms Jessica STEGRUD, Sweden, ECPA ; Ms Victoria TIBLOM, Sweden, ECPA ; Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD

The Russian Federation’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine is one of the most devastating conflicts in Europe in decades. This war has caused enormous human suffering, displaced millions, and seriously threatens European security.

Western democracies demonstrated a strong unity in imposing sanctions on Russia to limit its ability to wage war. These measures are essential to uphold international law and deter aggression.

However, it is deeply concerning that several countries and economic actors continue to act as intermediaries, enabling Russia to circumvent sanctions, particularly on dual-use goods such as microchips, drones and other critical technologies.

Such evasion often occurs through complex re-export schemes, exploitation of regional trade unions, and hidden supply chains, allowing prohibited components to reach the Russian war machine.

Sanctions circumvention seriously undermines the effectiveness of international measures, prolongs the war, and weakens European solidarity.

The Assembly should therefore call on the Committee of Ministers and all member States to:

  • strengthen monitoring and enforcement of export controls on dual-use goods;
  • enhance intelligence-sharing and co-operation with third countries;
  • develop effective mechanisms to identify and expose countries that systematically serve as sanctions evasion hubs;
  • consider targeted secondary sanctions against persistent violators.

Only by closing these loopholes can sanctions become a credible tool to restore peace and respect for international law in Europe.