The global sanctions regime is under unprecedented pressure as Russia circumvents restrictions with the help of neutral and semi-aligned states. Countries like China, Iran, Turkey, and the UAE are enabling indirect access to goods, finance, and technology, preserving plausible deniability while undermining enforcement. This white paper uncovers the facilitation networks sustaining Russia’s sanctioned economy and offers strategic guidance to compliance professionals, regulators, and financial institutions navigating this complex threat landscape.

This Paper Focuses On: 

• How friendly nations have become key enablers of Russian sanctions evasion

• The use of re-export hubs, shadow fleets, and layered trade to obscure illicit flows

• Key commodities at risk, including oil, semiconductors, and luxury goods

• Gaps in Western enforcement, from regulatory divergence to jurisdictional loopholes

• Practical strategies to detect and disrupt facilitation networks in permissive jurisdictions

This Paper Is Intended For: 

• Financial crime compliance and sanctions enforcement professionals

• Export control, trade finance, and due diligence teams

• Regulatory bodies and policymakers shaping global sanctions responses

• Financial institutions and insurers operating in high-risk trade corridors

• Analysts tracking geopolitical realignments and sanctions circumvention typologies

Effective sanctions enforcement in the multipolar age demands strategic clarity, cross-border coordination, and intelligence-led disruption. Download the full white paper to understand how back-door facilitation works and what it will take to close it.