This Month in EU Sanctions

In episode 10 of the podcast, Jan Dunin-Wasowicz provides an update on the latest developments as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine enters its fifth year, highlighting how overlapping geopolitical crises are placing new pressure on the EU’s sanctions framework. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, the discussion underscores the growing complexity of managing intersecting sanctions regimes and the increasing need for strategic readiness in an uncertain global environment.
The episode reflects on recent remarks by Ursula von der Leyen, who has emphasized that the EU can no longer rely solely on the traditional rules-based international system, but must instead “build its own path.” This sets the stage for a broader exploration of the future direction of EU sanctions law and policy, including what a more coherent and autonomous EU sanctions doctrine might look like, and how compliance frameworks must evolve in response to overlapping geopolitical shocks.
The show then welcomes Paschalis Paschalidis for an in-depth discussion on how EU sanctions are reshaping the landscape of international dispute resolution. The conversation examines the growing role of sanctions in driving litigation, arbitration, and complex cross-border disputes, with particular focus on contractual claims, investment protection, enforcement challenges, and jurisdictional questions.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Overlapping geopolitical shocks and impact on EU sanctions
04:50 - Introducing Paschalis Paschalidis
07:59 - General impact of EU sanctions on the litigation and arbitration practice
08:55 - How do disputes about EU sanctions arise?
12:00 - Mapping sanctions-related claims
16:00 - Anti-suit and anti-anti-suit injunctions
20:08 - New attitudes towards litigation and arbitration
21:05 -The relationship between the EU legal order, sanctions, and arbitration
27:28 - Reviewing awards dealing with EU sanctions issues
29:13 - EU sanctions and investment-state arbitration
33:31 – Force majeure and sanctions clauses
 39:34 – Looking ahead: rules-based international order and dispute resolution

In episode 08 of the podcast, Jan Dunin-Wasowicz provides an update on January 2026 developments, focusing on the importance of readiness in adaptation. The show then welcomes Rūta Bajarūnaitė, Head of the Sanctions Policy Team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of EU sanctions in response to geopolitical crises, particularly focusing on the implications of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. A discussion on the past, present and future of EU sanctions law and policy from a Lithuanian perspective.

CHAPTERS
00:00 January 2026 Updates
03:29 Introducing Rūta Bajarūnaitė, the Lithuanian Framework for EU Sanctions Implementation and Current Priorities
08:03 Lessons from 2022 and Initial Responses to the Full-scale Invasion of Ukraine
19:44 Protecting the EU's External Borders
22:51 Tackling Circumvention of EU Sanctions
25:31 Exemptions & Enforcement
34:40 Interpretation - the Notion of Control
39:52 Compliance Expectations - the Example of Best Efforts
46:30 2026 Outlook

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In episode 07 of the podcast, Jan Dunin-Wasowicz provides an update on the EU's response to the U.S.-led peace proposal and implications for EU sanctions against Russia. The show then welcomes Celia Challet, Assistant Professor in Law and Public Policy at the Université Catholique de Lille to discuss the growing role of the Court of the Justice of the EU in interpreting EU sanctions through references for preliminary rulings.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
1:55 EU Responses to the U.S-led Pease Initiative and Implications for EU Sanctions
7:49 Introducing Celia Challet
9:01 EU Sanctions Litigation - Validity v. Interpretation
11:45 Basics of References for Preliminary Rulings
15:26 Examples of EU Sanctions Issues Raised (Rosneft, Afrasiabi)
18:54 The Court's Contribution to EU Sanctions
20:35 Examples of Practical Questions
26:24 Notions of Economic Resources, Ownership & Control
28:05 Jurisdictional Questions
31:01 Canons of Interpretation
40:48 Looking Ahead
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In episode 06 of the podcast, host Jan Dunin-Wasowicz discusses the proposed 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia and G7 developments, the reimposition by the EU of comprehensive sanctions against Iran, as well as the latest update to the EU Dual Use Regulation. The show then welcomes Marcin Lukowski, a Warsaw-based trade compliance expert, for a conversation on the legal framework for implementation and enforcement of sanctions and export controls in Poland.
0:00 Introduction
1:20 Russia Sanctions, Iran Snapback and Dual Use Regulation Updates
6:29 A Discussion with Marcin Lukowski on the Polish Sanctions Framework

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In episode 05 of the podcast, host Jan Dunin-Wasowicz discusses select summer 2025 developments in EU sanctions and export controls, focusing on the 18th package and the potential 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia. The show welcomes Ingrid Breit, Deputy Head of Unit within the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) at the European Commission, for a conversation on Directive (EU) 2024/1226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures.
0:00 Introduction
1:12 18th Package, Iran Snapback, Israel Updates
3:50 A Discussion with Ingrid Breit on the EU Sanctions Directive

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