Switzerland Joins EU’s 15th Sanctions Package Against Russia

The Swiss Federal Council has approved additional restrictive measures against Russia as part of the 15th EU sanctions package adopted last December, the Swiss government reports.  

The new measures came into force on 13 February. Earlier, 54 individuals and 30 legal entities had already been added to the Swiss sanctions list.  

At its meeting on 12 February, the Federal Council decided to introduce further measures under the 15th EU sanctions package against Russia.  

The new restrictions include a ban on the recognition and enforcement of certain judgments of Russian courts if they claim exclusive jurisdiction over disputes between Russian and Swiss companies.  

This prohibition is aimed at protecting the rights of Swiss companies and preventing unjustified financial losses.  

In addition, the amendments provide for the extension of certain exemptions that allow Swiss companies to gradually withdraw their investments from Russia.  

The EU approved the 15th package of sanctions against Russia on 16 December 2024. It included restrictions on 52 more vessels of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’, which were banned from accessing ports and certain services. Also in December, the EU imposed sanctions for the first time in response to so-called hybrid attacks by Russia.