Newsletter of the main news 24.03/30.03

1️⃣ Frozen Russian assets

French President Emmanuel Macron said that it is currently impossible to use frozen Russian assets, but in the future they may become part of the reconstruction fund of Ukraine. According to him, this issue will be resolved within the framework of a peace agreement, and the assets themselves should contribute to the country's recovery.

A group of senators from both parties called on the White House administration to support the transfer of more than $300 billion of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, rather than limiting itself to a percentage of them. In a letter to the Secretary of State, the senators emphasized the importance of using these funds as a tool to put pressure on Russia to end the war and reduce the burden on American taxpayers. The initiative was supported by both Republicans and Democrats.

2️⃣ International sanctions policy

The European Union has begun preparing the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, although the process is still at an early stage. Proposals from the European Commission are now expected, which, according to diplomats, could be presented in early summer.

The EU will not lift sanctions against Russia as long as its troops remain on the territory of Ukraine. According to the European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper, the main precondition for the revision of sanctions is the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the cessation of aggression. At the same time, Brussels emphasized that Russia's demand to restore access to SWIFT in exchange for a ceasefire only confirms the effectiveness of the restrictions.

This view was also supported in Germany. The German government sees no reason to lift EU sanctions against Russia, particularly in the banking sector, regardless of possible agreements between Washington and Moscow. According to spokesman Steffen Gebestreit, any easing of restrictions is possible only after a collective decision at the level of EU heads of state, but no such initiatives have been taken so far.

The European Commission has launched a new EU Sanctions Support Service to help small and medium-sized businesses comply with sanctions legislation. Businesses will be able to receive free advice, guidance and access to up-to-date information, as well as participate in training events through the service's cooperation with government agencies, financial institutions and international organizations.

Panama plans to deregister 128 vessels that have been sanctioned by the United States, its allies, or the United Nations. According to the head of Panama's merchant marine, Ramon Franco, at least 70 tankers have already been removed, and the process will continue. This decision may lead to a loss of about $2 million in revenue, but is in line with the promise to tighten control over blacklists. Panama remains one of the world's largest registries with more than 8,000 vessels.

The United States and Cyprus will soon sign an agreement on cooperation in the fight against financial crimes, including evasion of Russian sanctions and money laundering. According to a joint statement, the document provides for the exchange of experience between law enforcement agencies, including the FBI's participation in supporting the Cypriot police and the US Department of Justice's assistance in investigating financial crimes.