Ukraine war: EU increases pressure on Russia with latest sanctions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivering a press statement on the proposals for the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, 9 June 2026. © European Union, 2026 / Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photo: P-069974
In June, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the latest package of sanctions against Russia. It includes new measures targeting financial institutions, cryptocurrency platforms and shadow fleet vessels, all of which aims to squeeze the Russian economy and weaken Putin’s war machine.
‘The conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to global energy supply chains have eased some pressure on Russia,’ says von der Leyen. ‘So, the objective of our package could not be clearer. We want to maintain the full intensity of our sanctions.’
This will be the 21st set of sanctions since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These latest proposals follow the introduction of the EU’s long-stalled 20th sanctions package three months ago, signalling the intention to continually and incrementally increase pressure on the Russian economy. For the first time, the EU activated its anti-circumvention tool by banning the export of numerical control machines or radios to Kyrgyzstan, where there’s a high risk of products being diverted to Russia.
Yves Melin, Co-Chair of the IBA International Trade and Customs Law Committee, says the 20th sanctions package went further than previous measures regarding circumvention. He says the election of a more pro-EU government in Hungary in April is likely to have emboldened the EU. ‘Without being a game changer, it’s moving in the direction where the use of sanctions is going to be more effective,’ says Melin, a partner at Cattwyk in Brussels.
Anna Olejniczak-Michalska, legal counsel at Wardyński i Wspólnicy in Warsaw, says that the outright ban of the export of certain products to Kyrgyzstan and the increased listings of sanctioned individuals and entities helps provide predictability and clarity for businesses. ‘Before the EU was almost exclusively relying on operators to do their own due diligence. It was a huge burden and not very effective because different operators would conduct different levels of due diligence,’ she says.
Sanctions are not going to decide the end of the war on their own, but all of these things together mean that the pressure is going to stay increased on Russia
Yves Melin
Co-Chair, IBA International Trade and Customs Law Committee
The introduction of the EU’s 20th sanctions package came alongside the EU approving a €90bn loan to Ukraine, which the former Hungarian administration had blocked. Ukraine has also seen significant gains on the battlefield in 2026, which have been attributed to technological innovation and advances in its defence industry. ‘Sanctions are not going to decide the end of the war on their own, but all of these things together mean that the pressure is going to stay increased on Russia,’ says Melin.
There is still room for improvement and experts who spoke to Global Insight said the main challenge is enforcement. Enforcement of the EU’s sanctions regime is carried out by individual Member States that are responsible for investigating and prosecuting breaches and circumvention by companies and individuals. While the EU introduced a Sanctions Directive in 2024 to criminalise sanctions violations and harmonise penalties, the level of resources, expertise and political will to enforce the law varies greatly between the Member States.
Joydeep Sengupta, Head of Global Compliance and Investigations at Dentons in Paris, believes that the EU should introduce a centralised sanctions enforcement and licencing authority to handle prosecutions of sanctions violations and permissions for allowing certain transactions to take place. ‘Sanctions investigations are specialised, technical, cross-border and require significant forensic resources,’ he says. ‘Many of the small countries don’t have the expertise, resources, or capacity to handle these unilaterally, including gathering evidence across borders.’
The EU has seen a recent trend towards creating centralised criminal enforcement authorities. The European Public Prosecutors Office was introduced in 2021 to investigate and prosecute crimes that harm the finances of the EU and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority came into effect in 2024.
Łukasz Lasek, a partner at Wardyński i Wspólnicy, supports the creation of an EU-wide sanctions authority and says that it would be most practical if it focused on the most serious and complex crimes, at least initially. ‘We have seen that the European Public Prosecutors Office has been very effective with prosecutors from different Member States working within one institution on cross-border investigations,’ he says. ‘And cooperation is more efficient.’
Following the war in Iran, and the subsequent spike in oil prices, von der Leyen has stressed that this is not ‘the moment to relax sanctions on Russia’. She says enforcing the oil price cap – which prevents EU businesses from facilitating the transport of Russian crude sold above $44 a barrel – will help stabilise global markets and limit Putin’s oil revenues. Announcing proposals for the 21st package of sanctions, von der Leyen said the Commission intends to pause the oil cap adjustment mechanism until January, which follows market trends, to avoid Russia benefiting from the rise in oil prices. In March, Russia’s oil export revenues raised from $9.3bn to $19bn, according to the Kyiv School of Economics Institute.
Outside the EU, responses to the Iran war have varied, with the need to limit energy price shocks often prioritised. The US administration introduced waivers for sanctions on Russian seaborne oil already loaded onto vessels, which were heavily criticised. The UK government responded by amending a raft of sanctions on Russia, removing plans to ban imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil in third countries.
Annual Conference set to welcome 5,000+ legal professionals
The IBA’s flagship event, the Annual Conference, will take place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen from 4–9 October. The leading event in the legal conference calendar, the Annual Conference offers a comprehensive programme of working sessions and social functions plus unparalleled networking and business development opportunities.
Prior to the Annual Conference, the IBA Young Lawyers Committee will be holding a training summit in Copenhagen, on 3 October, supported by Djøf Lawyers, the Danish lawyers’ union. This will assist young lawyers and junior members of the profession with their understanding of the fundamentals of international legal practice. Elsewhere, on 4 October, the IBA Arb40 Subcommittee of the Arbitration Committee, which was established for younger arbitrators aged 40 or below, is presenting a symposium on accountability in the future of international arbitration.
More than 200 working sessions, presented by the IBA’s committees, fora, working groups and other groups, will take place during the conference week. These include the Showcase Sessions, offered as usual by the IBA’s Human Rights Institute, Legal Practice Division, Bar Issues Commission and Section on Public and Professional Interest. Topics include protecting the rights of the child; AI in the techno-polar age; why rule of law matters to civil society; and the legal profession under pressure.
The ever-popular ‘A conversation with…’ series returns, with sessions featuring Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark; William Hague, former leader of the UK’s Conservative Party; Ales Bialiatski, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner; and a final yet-to-be-announced special guest.
On the final day of the conference, the IBA Rule of Law Symposium will take place, this year exploring global security in a multi-polar world, justice and the rule of law and the weaponisation of the legal process.
The week will close with a party at the Villa Copenhagen, with a chance to savour street food and enjoy a festival vibe with live music and entertainment.
Global Insight podcasts: China and clean energy, Brexit and the US DOJ
IBA Global Insight released three new podcasts in June and July, exploring China’s clean energy transition; the ten-year anniversary of the Brexit vote; and threats to the independence of the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
‘China’s clean energy journey’ focuses on the country’s clean energy transition, following its ground-breaking pledge to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms. The speakers consider the challenges and opportunities facing China in this transition, and the implications for other parts of the world, particularly India and Africa.
Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU, leading to a sustained period of upheaval and uncertainty. A decade on, Brexit continues to affect everything from defence and security to the economy, tech, AI and the rule of law. ‘Brexit: ten years on’ assesses the UK’s relationship with the EU, which the UK government has recently sought to ‘reset’.
The independence of the US DOJ from political interference is central to the rule of law in America. Critics argue that, during President Trump’s second term, this principle has come under pressure on several fronts, but court rulings and institutional pushback suggest that the wider US justice system continues to provide some counterbalance, as the speakers explore in ‘The President and the DOJ’.
See the full list of Global Insight podcasts here.
New report on third-party participation in investment arbitration
Third-party participation is an increasingly common feature in investor-state dispute settlement, both from amicus curiae parties and non-disputing treaty parties. A new report from the IBA Investment Arbitration Subcommittee of the Arbitration Committee, Report and recommendations on third-party participation in investment arbitration, assesses the situation, sets forth the legal framework, examines procedural and substantive requirements governing applications, identifies issues arising and offers recommendations that balance the interests of parties, counsel, third-party participants and tribunals.
The report was initiated and completed under the leadership of the former Co-Chairs of the Investment Arbitration Subcommittee, Erica Stein of Stein Arbitration, Brussels, and Xavier Andrade Cadena of AVL Abogados, Quito.
IBA Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee publishes new survey
The IBA Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee has published a new survey on the trade and distribution of therapeutic products. This legal guide comprises a global review of major topics and trends concerning the trade and distribution of therapeutic products, including pharmaceuticals/biologics and medical devices, across numerous jurisdictions.
The guide was edited by the North American Regional Forum Liaison Officer of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee, Beth P Weinman, and Vice Chair, Markus Schott. It was reviewed by a number of Committee officers.
The guide aims to provide practitioners, in-house counsel and industry professionals with a practical overview of the regulatory landscape governing the movement of therapeutic products in and across different countries worldwide, as well as straightforward access to the most relevant rules and regulations.
The survey covers 68 countries from around the globe. Each country’s section contains an overview of the regulatory framework and competent authorities, with a description of product classification, licensing and authorisation requirements for wholesale and retail distribution, import and export controls, labelling, serialisation and anti-counterfeiting requirements, pricing and reimbursement requirements, enforcement powers and sanctions, as well as recent developments and trends.
Each country’s section identifies its author(s), who can be reached for further questions or suggestions regarding the laws in any specific country. The guide does not offer legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal consultation.
This is the latest in a series of surveys published by the Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee. In 2025, the Committee published a survey on healthcare financing and reimbursement, in 2024 on the promotion of pharmaceuticals and medical devices and in 2023 on telemedicine.
The Committee expresses its sincere thanks to all participants for their invaluable contributions.
Recognition for long-standing IBA officers
IBA President Claudio Visco with Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama
Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama has been awarded Honorary Life Presidency of the IBA, and Kimitoshi Yabuki and Michael Clancy Honorary Life Membership, for their invaluable contributions to the IBA.
During her presidency in 2023 and 2024, Almudena advanced an agenda aimed at reinforcing the role of the legal profession as a guarantor of the rule of law, strengthening international legal cooperation and enhancing the profession’s contribution to society. Almudena remarked that she would continue to champion the causes that she focused on during her presidency, ‘energised by the recognition of the IBA’s Honorary Life Presidency’.
Kimitoshi has been an IBA member for almost 30 years and has held numerous senior positions within the Association, serving variously on the Asia Pacific Regional Forum, Antitrust Section, Bar Issues Commission, Rule of Law Forum, Pro Bono Committee and the IBA Management Board. His most recent position is as advisor to the Credentials Committee. ‘It is fitting that his steadfast commitment to the values of the IBA is recognised with [this] well-deserved honour,’ said Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director.
Michael Clancy first became a Council Member on the IBA Legal Practice Division in 2005. He has been, among other positions, Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee and Chair of the Constitution and Governance Committee. Claudio Visco, IBA President, commented, ‘Michael Clancy has for more than three decades helped to strengthen the IBA global community and advance the rule of law […] I, on behalf of the IBA, offer my deepest gratitude for his invaluable contributions’.
New Inspirational legal women podcast published featuring Norwegian legal trailblazer Berit Reiss-Andersen
The IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) has released a new episode of its Inspirational legal women podcast featuring Berit Reiss-Andersen, one of Norway’s most prominent legal figures. Berit has held major leadership roles within the legal profession, including serving as President of the Norwegian Bar Association. Internationally, she is widely known for her work with the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the body responsible for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize.
In the episode, Berit discusses the challenges she has encountered as a woman building a legal career and the responsibility of the legal profession to create opportunities for the next generation.
Now on its second series, the Inspirational legal women podcast features inspiring IBA members from around the world sharing their thoughts about what it means to be a woman in the legal profession. The series covers women across all sectors of the law.
Access all episodes of the podcast here.
Artificial intelligence: regulators scrutinise Google’s use of journalism
Header image: Photo Agency - stock.adobe.com
In June, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that online publishers and news organisations will be able to opt out of their content being used in AI summaries on Google’s search engine. The CMA has imposed this new ‘conduct requirement’ on Google to give publishers more control and stronger bargaining power over the use of their content in UK search results.
Publishers and news organisations are concerned about the impact of AI-generated summaries on the referral traffic they rely on to survive. While a large number of search users read AI summaries, many don’t click through to the original source of the information. A report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, published in January, found that around a fifth of media leaders expect to lose more than 75 per cent of their search traffic over the next few years due to AI on search engines. ‘AI-generated search summaries have lowered the traffic that publishers depend on for advertising,’ says a spokesperson for the National Union of Journalists.
As part of the new conduct requirement Google must also ensure that publisher content is properly attributed via clear links within AI-generated search results.
The CMA has previously designated Google as having ‘strategic market status’ in search services. This allows the regulator to assign targeted rules for Google’s business to ensure ‘fair dealing, open choices or trust and transparency.’ It’s through this designation that the CMA has imposed the new conduct requirement.’
Google didn’t take up the opportunity to comment when contacted by Global Insight. It has said it supports ‘the CMA’s goals of ensuring fairness and promoting publisher choice and control.’ In June it announced it was testing a new control to allow website owners to manage how their content and links appear in its generative AI features. It’ll also provide them with further information on the use of their content. Google says the control will be trialled using a group of UK websites, before being deployed globally.
For publishers and journalists, the CADE investigation might become a landmark case. It will assess the conditions under which journalistic content is used, displayed, attributed and monetised
Simone Lahorgue Nunes
Member, IBA Technology Law Committee Advisory Board
In a blog post about AI in search, Mrinalini Loew, a general manager at Google, said the company is ‘actively listening to feedback from publishers and creators, and engaging with regulators like the UK’s [CMA] to ensure website owners have the right tools as user preferences evolve.’
In April, Brazil’s antitrust watchdog, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), said it’ll move forward with further investigation into Google’s use of journalistic content. The CADE is studying potential abuse of the company’s dominant market position.
The regulator began the probe in 2019, examining competition in Brazil’s search and news sectors. The CADE has said it’ll now look at how AI-generated summaries synthesise journalistic content directly within Google’s search interface, appearing to users above ‘traditional’ results. It’ll assess the extent to which summaries created in Google News and the company’s search engine are created from journalistic content and used without agreed compensation. Google didn’t respond to Global Insight’s request for comment but the company has said the CADE’s decision reflects a ‘misunderstanding’ of how its products work and that it’ll engage with the regulator.
Guilherme Ribas, Vice-Chair of the IBA Communications Law Committee and a partner at TozziniFreire Advogados in São Paulo, says the decision to elevate the inquiry into a full administrative process sends a signal that the regulator is willing to ‘dig into the potential effects and the rationale of all practices carried out by digital market players.’
‘For publishers and journalists, this might become a landmark case,’ says Simone Lahorgue Nunes, a Member of the IBA Technology Law Committee Advisory Board. ‘It will assess the economic dependence of journalism on dominant digital platforms and the conditions under which journalistic content is used, displayed, attributed and monetised.’
The CADE’s original investigation into Google examined the automated collection and display of snippet-based journalistic content in search results and was effectively shelved in 2024 due to a lack of evidence of anti-competitive conduct.
The investigation announced in April is a response to the evolution of Google’s products and the company’s use of AI-generated summaries. It’ll examine if Google’s dominant position in search is being leveraged to create a dominant position in AI-mediated information retrieval, at the expense of the news-content producers whose work is used to train these systems.
According to the CADE, this may constitute exploitative abuse. The formal administrative process will give the watchdog the power to gather evidence, issue subpoenas and ultimately levy fines or remedies.
Lahorgue Nunes, who’s Founding Partner at Lahorgue Advogadas Associadas in Rio de Janeiro, says that Brazilian case law on exploitative abuse remains less consolidated than in the EU. However, under Brazilian competition law, the CADE may assess different forms of conduct, including ‘potentially exploitative abuses in digital markets, such as unilateral imposition of unfair conditions, discrimination among commercial partners, or contractual tying arrangements,’ she says.
In December, the European Commission launched an investigation into whether Google is distorting competition by using publisher content for ‘AI Overviews’ and ‘AI Mode’ without fair compensation or meaningful opt-outs.
The Commission is concerned about the extent to which AI-generated summaries are based on content produced by web publishers without appropriate compensation or the ability for media businesses to refuse without losing access to Google Search. A Google spokesperson said at the time that the Commission’s investigation ‘risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever’ and that the company will ‘continue to work closely with the news and creative industries as they transition to the AI era.’
If proven, the practices under investigation may breach EU competition rules on abuse of a dominant position. Bernhard Maier, a partner at law firm Browne Jacobson, says the Commission can ‘fine companies up to ten per cent of their global turnover, which would be quite something in Google’s case.’
In the US, the first private publisher lawsuit related to AI-generated summaries and Google’s potential abuse of market dominance was filed in September. The claimants, which include Penske Media Corporation, allege that Google’s AI summaries use their journalism without consent and reduce traffic to their websites. The complaint says that Google only includes publisher websites in search results if it can also use their articles in AI summaries and without this leverage, it would have to pay for the right to republish their work or to use it to train its AI systems.
‘With AI Overviews, people find Search more helpful and use it more, creating new opportunities for content to be discovered. We will defend against these meritless claims,’ said a Google spokesperson.