Sir Keir Starmer has assembled a team of experts to ensure British companies are adhering to anti-Russian sanctions, as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a visit to Downing Street.
This move follows the UK’s sanctions against Russia in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, targeting over £20bn in trade.
Since the invasion, Britain has been at the forefront of efforts to cripple Russia’s economy, with government estimates suggesting the sanctions have deprived Russia of more than £300bn in funds.
The UK’s latest initiative is designed to further tighten the noose on Vladimir Putin’s regime by improving the effectiveness of current sanctions.
To spearhead this push, the Department for Business and Trade has created a new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), which will be responsible for helping businesses comply with the sanctions, as well as enforcing penalties on those who don’t.
New Unit To Boost Sanctions Compliance
The new office will provide guidance and user-friendly tools to ensure that firms can meet their obligations under the sanctions regime. For businesses that fail to comply, OTSI will have the power to impose civil penalties and publish details of breaches to ensure transparency and accountability.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasized the importance of working with companies to make the sanctions as effective as possible. “Sanctions are vital in defunding Putin’s illegal war, and only by working hand in hand with business can we make them as effective as possible,” Reynolds stated. “This new unit will help ensure businesses comply with trade sanctions and take decisive enforcement action where needed.”
He added that businesses across the UK have largely supported the sanctions, but for those few that fail to comply, the government is prepared to act decisively.
Stephen Doughty, the Europe Minister in Starmer’s government, echoed this sentiment.
“This new government is resolutely committed to strengthening our sanctions regime, with robust enforcement and penalties for those who fail to comply. From Moscow to Tehran – kleptocrats, aggressors, and the enablers who support and facilitate their wealth and malign actions should be on notice.”
Stephen Doughty
Doughty noted that the OTSI would serve a crucial role, not just in ensuring compliance but also in deterring those who seek to circumvent the sanctions.
The new office’s creation follows the government’s recent introduction of additional reporting obligations for firms in the financial and legal sectors, which now must report suspected sanctions violations to OTSI.
This enhanced enforcement authority will operate alongside HMRC, which already holds the power to enforce trade sanctions, thereby providing a more comprehensive mechanism for oversight and compliance.
Zelensky’s Diplomatic Mission
President Zelensky’s visit to Downing Street marks his second trip to Number 10 under Starmer’s leadership. During his visit, Zelensky is expected to meet with the prime minister to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s military aggression.
The visit follows a summit in Croatia where Zelensky signed a defense cooperation agreement with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, a sign of growing international support for Ukraine’s cause. In Thursday’s meeting, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to reaffirm Britain’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine.
A spokesperson for Starmer underscored the significance of the moment, stating that Ukraine is at a “critical point” in its defense against Russian forces. The Prime Minister’s remarks will likely echo his speech at the UN General Assembly in September, where he condemned Russia for the “greatest violation” of the United Nations Charter in a generation.
As such, as Zelensky continues his diplomatic tour of Europe, the visit to London serves as a vital opportunity for both leaders to showcase their unity against Russian aggression.
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