Britain removed Igor Makarov, founder of the Russian independent gas company Itera, from its sanctions list, a move confirmed by official channels from the UK Treasury. The decision marks a clear shift in the stance toward a long-time figure in the regional energy sector and is widely seen as part of a broader recalibration of asset freeze policies affecting individuals tied to Russia’s energy and business networks.
In September 2022, London had sanctioned the businessman amid the evolving sanctions regime aimed at Moscow after the conflict in Ukraine. It later emerged that in June of the previous year he had relinquished his Russian citizenship and now holds only a Cypriot passport, a change that reportedly influenced the UK decision framework regarding his asset freezes and related restrictions in the field of property management services. The claim of his removal from the sanctions list was accompanied by a formal statement noting that Igor Viktorovich Makarov is no longer subject to asset freezing or sanctions in that sector.
Separately, developments around the European Union and other Western policy measures have indicated shifts in the status of several prominent business figures and entities connected to Russia. While the formal specifics can vary, there has been widespread reporting that certain individuals, including leaders of technology and logistics networks, were subject to changes in sanctions provisions earlier in the year. This pattern reflects the ongoing review process by the EU and allied governments, which periodically revisits restrictions in response to evolving diplomatic and strategic considerations.
According to ongoing coverage, the broader timeframe around mid-March has been a point of reference for the expiration and automatic extension of several regional sanctions frameworks. The timing aligns with steps taken by various authorities to either lift or renew measures, ensuring a coordinated approach across the Western policy landscape. This coordination is part of the effort to stabilize economic and political relations while continuing to apply targeted pressure where deemed necessary.
In related policy moves, anti-Russian sanctions associated with an entity in the United Arab Emirates were reportedly lifted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, signaling another facet of the dynamic sanctions environment in effect across international financial and regulatory regimes. This illustrates how sanction tools can fluctuate in response to changing assessments of risk, compliance regimes, and diplomatic negotiations among allied governments.