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Ukraine: Federal Council implements 16th EU sanctions package against Russia

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 14 May 2025

Bern, 14.05.2025 -- The Federal Council decided on 14 May 2025 that Switzerland will adopt the measures in the European Union's 16th package of sanctions against Russia, with effect from 15 May 2025. 48 individuals, 35 entities and 74 vessels were already added to the Swiss sanctions list against Russia on 4 March. The Federal Council is also extending Swiss sanctions against Belarus.

In response to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and the destabilising action that undermines Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and security, the EU adopted its 16th sanctions package against Russia on 24 February, the third anniversary of the outbreak of the war. On 4 March 2025, the EAER applied sanctions in its powers to a further 48 individuals, 35 entities and 74 vessels.

At its meeting on 14 Mai 2025, the Federal Council decided to adopt the remaining measures of the EU's 16th package of sanctions against Russia that are relevant to Switzerland. This increases the impact of the EU measures. The Federal Council has also endorsed the sanctions adopted by the EU against Belarus.

Trade and energy sanctions

Export restrictions on dual-use goods and goods that contribute to military and technological enhancement are being tightened. This includes a ban on exporting chromium ores to Russia, as they may be used for military purposes. The list of goods that benefit Russian industry is also being expanded, for example to include chemicals. There is now also a ban on the purchase and import of Russian primary aluminium.

The Federal Council has also decided to extend the export ban on software to the energy sector; it is now prohibited to sell oil and gas exploration software to Russia and to provide goods and services for the completion of Russian crude oil projects.

Sanctions relating to designated territories

The Federal Council is extending certain measures to the 'designated territories' - Crimea, Sevastopol and other Ukrainian territories that are not currently under Ukrainian government control. The existing bans against Russia relating to services and software now also apply in the designated territories.

Business and service bans

The Federal Council has issued a ban on conducting business with certain Russian harbours, locks and airports. This is because these types of infrastructure are used for the transport of drones, missiles and goods to support the Russian war against Ukraine. Humanitarian activities are exempt from the ban.

The Federal Council has decided to extend the ban on services; it is no longer permitted to provide construction services that benefit the Russian government or Russian businesses.

Protection for Swiss individuals and businesses

The Federal Council has amended legislation to allow Swiss businesses to claim damages against Russian contractual partners before the Swiss courts, thereby increasing their legal protection. Their legal protection is also strengthened with regard to the designated territories.

Furthermore, the Federal Council is introducing a forum-necessitatis rule, according to which, although Switzerland would not normally be the place of jurisdiction, a claim for damages may in exceptional circumstances be brought before the Swiss courts provided that the case has a sufficient connection to Switzerland.

Further measures

The existing air traffic ban is being extended. New legislation will designate certain air carriers from third countries that operate domestic flights in Russia or deliver air cargo to sanctioned Russian airlines. Exceptions may be made in emergency situations.

Because of differences in Swiss and EU customs regulations, Switzerland has not adopted the EU ban on the temporary storage of Russian crude oil and Russian petroleum products and their transfer to the free zone procedure. Both temporary storage and the free zone procedure are specific provisions of EU customs law. There are no procedures in Swiss customs law that are comparable to temporary storage in the EU, so this ban cannot be applied by Switzerland.

Sanctions against Belarus

On 24 February the EU also adopted additional sanctions against Belarus because of its ongoing involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. The Federal Council has also decided to adopt these sanctions, which include stricter export restrictions and a ban on imports of Belarusian primary aluminium. The intention is to further harmonise sanctions against Belarus with the existing sanctions against Russia, among other things in order to prevent the latter from being circumvented.