Sanctions are one of the most powerful foreign policy tools that countries use to influence international behaviour, short of going to war. But how do they actually work? Who imposes them? And who ends up paying the price? Let’s break it down.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said Congress should wait before considering new sanctions on Russia, following President Donald Trump’s July 14 ultimatum giving Moscow 50 days to end the war in Ukraine.
Slovakia will allow the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, after blocking the EU's approval of the sanctions multiple times demanding guarantees against damages it fears from a separate EU plan to end all gas imports from Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Thursday.
The White House says Russia will face tough new tariffs — and countries buying its oil will be sanctioned — if it does not agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine within 50 days.
The European Union has failed for a second day to approve a fresh sanctions package against Russia, with Slovakia holding out over concerns tied to the bloc’s Russian gas phase-out plan.
Iran has warned it will respond to any move by Western powers to reinstate United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme, though it has not specified what form that response would take. The statement came from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei during a press conference on Monday.
Norway has listed two Russian fishing companies, Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood, in line with European Union sanctions adopted on 20th May. The Norwegian government stated that the decision supports the country’s broader security policy objectives.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged stronger sanctions and defence support for Ukraine as the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia nears approval.
The European Union has extended the restrictive measures on Russia for an additional six months, until 31 January 2026, due to the Moscow's ongoing actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday formally ending U.S. sanctions on Syria, in a major foreign policy reversal that follows a series of diplomatic overtures between Washington and Damascus.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, calling for greater international pressure to push Moscow toward peace negotiations.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The U.S. has sanctioned a top Venezuelan gang leader wanted for drug and terror crimes.
The Trump administration has unveiled sweeping new sanctions targeting Iran’s defence supply chain and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, intensifying efforts to block the flow of sensitive military technology and illicit oil revenues fueling regional instability.
Ukraine called for more support during the G7 summit in Canada. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a direct appeal at the two-day gathering, while Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney announced fresh sanctions on Russia and a major new aid package for Kyiv.
The UK has intensified economic pressure on Russia by announcing a new wave of sanctions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 30 new measures which target key areas of Russia’s financial, military, and energy sectors, in response to President Volodymyr Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced deep concern over the US decision to sanction four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, accused by the US of alleged transgressions.
The European Commission has proposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting energy, finance, and military sectors, while Russia extends its countermeasures until 2025. The proposal is still under debate within the EU.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran's stance in nuclear negotiations has become surprisingly more aggressive, though another meeting is scheduled. He reiterated that Iran will not be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon.
The European Commission has announced its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia, focusing on cutting Moscow’s energy revenues and limiting its military capabilities.
Iran says U.S. must clarify sanctions stance as nuclear talks continue. Tehran demands clear path to lifting "oppressive" sanctions, while Oman mediates amid lingering disputes over uranium enrichment.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is reluctant to impose new sanctions on Russia, warning that such measures could jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of “significant consequences” if Europe pushes for reimposing UN nuclear sanctions, stressing it would end E3 participation in the 2015 deal, following an unproductive meeting in Istanbul.
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