On 19 February, the analytical center StateWatch, together with the Geneva Graduate Institute, held an international workshop titled “Third Countries and G7’s Sanctions: Decoupling Risks and Streamlining Compliance,” dedicated to the role of third countries in implementing sanctions against Russia and the risks of their circumvention.

During the first session, Daria Kuzmina, Head of the Sanctions Department at StateWatch, presented an analysis of sanctions-evasion schemes involving Turkey and Hong Kong, as well as selected findings related to South Korea’s experience. Participants discussed common re-export patterns, the role of intermediaries, and approaches to strengthening sanctions compliance.

The second and third sessions focused on cooperation with Asian countries and the practical experience of businesses operating in third jurisdictions. Speakers shared insights from their work with partners in Georgia, Turkey, and the Philippines on implementing G7 sanctions and closing loopholes that enable their circumvention.

The event concluded with an open discussion and informal networking, where participants addressed the effectiveness of the current sanctions regime and discussed priorities for further international coordination.

StateWatch extends its gratitude to speakers Daria Kuzmina, Hanna Tkachenko, and Bohdan Bernatskyi, as well as moderator Thomas Biersteker and all participants for their substantive discussion and cooperation.