24. Believing that an effective framework to address sanction avoidance should rest on the followingelements, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer States and the European Union totake them into account:

24.1. creating strategic European economic autonomy from Russian oil and gas that are used for Russian imperialistic geopolitical purposes;

24.2. introducing measures to reduce the resale of Russian oil and gas to Europe via third countries;

24.3. expanding the list of individuals and entities targeted by the restrictive measures in the Russian Federation and third countries;

24.4. identifying the major categories of entities and individuals which play a significant role in sanction avoidance, such as banks, insurance companies, financial advisers, financial institutions, transport and logistics companies, ports, and service companies;

24.5. setting up effective mechanisms to monitor sanctions compliance, for instance a dedicated Task Force;

24.6. introducing and implementing secondary sanctions, and monitoring compliance with them;

24.7. setting up a public Register of companies and individuals working for Russian interests;

24.8. setting up a public Register of companies and individuals involved in sanctions avoidance;

24.9. introducing international guidelines for financial institutions to assess risks carefully for customers and transactions prone to sanction avoidance. These guidelines would require heightened scrutiny when dealing with individuals or entities operating in jurisdictions known for evading sanctions;

24.10. strengthening co-operation and harmonising sanctions efforts amongst like-minded countries, in order to avoid loopholes;

24.11. enforcing robust tracking and verification systems to prevent sanctioned goods and materials from entering global markets through indirect channels, including by conducting regular audits and collaborating with industry partners to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain;

24.12. introducing significant financial penalties for sanction avoidance;

24.13. introducing criminal liability for the deliberate assistance by individuals and groups of individuals for the purpose of evading sanctions;

24.14. considering the establishment of a pan-European body with the authority to investigate and prosecute persons involved in sanctions avoidance. Such a body (Task Force), like the Register of the States and entities, banks and firms that are circumventing sanctions, should be established as soon as possible and it should work in parallel with the Register of Damage;

24.15. introducing monetary incentives for whistle-blowers reporting specific details of sanction avoidance.

25. As regards its own work, the Assembly:

25.1. resolves to establish channels of dialogue and co-operation with Russian forces and civil societywho aspire to a democratic change in the Russian Federation, who share Council of Europe values,and who support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including theRussian Action Committee;

25.2. encourages further reflection on the issue of sanctions against the Russian Federation;

25.3. reiterates its concern at Russian abuse of the right to veto, which is an international threat to theinternational rule-based order and the democratic security of Council of Europe member States. In thisrespect, the Assembly supports all efforts and discussions seeking to unblock the situation at the UnitedNations and enabling it to deliver on its mandate.

Resolution 2506 (2023)

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