OFAC replaces 2 Ukraine/Russia-related general licences

In light of the recent US sanctions on a number of Russian oligarchs, government officials and entities (previous blog), OFAC has issued (1 May 2018) Ukraine/Russia-related General Licence 12B, which replaces and supersedes General Licence 12A. General Licence 12B now permits originating and intermediary US financial institutions to process funds transfers that they would otherwise block to an account held by a blocked US person at a US financial institution. The licence also clarifies that US financial institutions can release such funds for authorised maintenance and wind-down purposes.

OFAC has also issued Ukraine/Russia-related General Licence 13A, which replaces and supersedes General Licence 13. General Licence 13A extends the original term of General Licence 13 through to 5 June 2018 (previously 7 May), and authorises transactions and activities necessary to divest or transfer debt, equity or other holdings in EN+ Group, GAZ Group, or United Company RUSAL PLC. The licence also authorises such transactions in entities in which those persons own (directly or indirectly) a 50% or greater interest, provided that such debt, equity, or other holdings were issued by Irkutskenergo, GAZ Auto Plant, or Rusal Capital Designated Activity Company.

OFAC has also published 3 new FAQs and revised several existing FAQs. OFAC Notice here.