What are sanctions, and how do they work?

Sanctions are relevant as ever with Russia still thundering in Ukraine – but what are they in their entities? How do we impose them, and what are the consequences? 

When you choose to sanction, the aim is to change a specific behaviour of the authorised person, such as violating human rights. E.g., to approve a particular country, a ban is placed on importing or exporting certain goods. These can be imported goods that help the government in war or exported goods that benefit the country to become wealthier.

Sanctions on Russia

An example of a sanction against a country is those imposed on Russia in 2022. Here it’s decided that you can’t export or import certain goods to Russia, as it may help them in the war against Ukraine.

In total, the EU has imposed up to 108 sanctions on entities and 1212 sanctions on individuals. These sanctions on individuals also result in a travel ban and asset freeze. The travel ban prevents the individuals on the sanctions list from traveling through the EU. The freezing of assets means that all the accounts belonging to the individuals are frozen in EU banks. There is also an explicit prohibition that no funds or support of any kind may be available to these individuals.

What cannot be exported to Russia from the EU?

There are up to several products that the EU may not export to Russia, as the sanctions cover it. Many of the products are a technology that can help the country and give them a military advantage in the war.

Products that are sanctioned are:

• Advanced technology
• Certain types of machinery and transport equipment
• Unique products and technologies required for oil refining
• Products and technology for the aviation and space industry
• A range of dual-use items (items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes), such as drones and software for drones or encryption devices
• Maritime products
• Luxury goods

Which goods cannot be imported from Russia to the EU?

There are also options for more products that the EU may not import from Russia. The reason is that the EU will not show Russia the support to buy their goods when they are at war with a candidate country for the EU. However, some points are only being phased out, as the EU cannot immediately free itself from the products.
This is also the reason why several goods in Denmark have become more expensive than they were before. This is, e.g., petrol and foodstuffs.

Products that are sanctioned are:

• Crude oil and refined oil products will be phased out over eight months.
• Coal and other fossil fuels
• Gold
• Steel and iron
• Wood and cement
• Fish, shellfish, and spirits

The national sanctions list

The national sanctions list is a public sanctions list that contains the names and nationalities of foreign religious preachers who are excluded from entry to Denmark for reasons of public order.

A person can be included on the national sanctions list if:

• The alien has exhibited behaviour that gives reason to believe that the alien will threaten public order in Denmark and if there is a certain probability that the alien will enter Denmark.

A foreigner on the national sanctions list is therefore not allowed to enter Denmark. The penalty for doing it can be up to 3 years in prison.

See the national sanctions list.