A recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling could have implications for how certain sanctions-related payment issues are treated under force majeure clauses in contracts.

The European Commission on May 14 extended its antidumping duties on birch plywood from Russia to cover goods from Kazakhstan and Turkey. The extension was made after an investigation showed that the duties were being circumvented by "imports transshipped from Russia" to Kazakhstan and Turkey, "or sent for final completion to these countries," before shipment to the EU. The commission said Russian birch plywood makers have been trying to find new ways to sell their goods since imports of birch plywood from Russia were banned after that country's invasion of Ukraine.

The European Council on May 14 broadened the scope of its sanctions framework on Iran due to that nation's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The council expanded the bloc's ability to impose sanctions on not only unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but "missiles too." The EU can now target individuals and entities "supplying, selling or otherwise being involved in transferring Iran's missiles and UAVs" in support of the war in Ukraine or used by armed groups that undermine security in the Middle East and Red Sea region. The council also barred the export of components used in the "development and production of UAVs from the EU to Iran."

A Swiss university said it’s reviewing any possible ongoing cooperation with Iranian researchers after United Against Nuclear Iran said the Iranian military is exploiting partnerships between Iranian universities and Swiss learning institutions to obtain sensitive research and technology (see 2405100023). A spokesperson for Switzerland-based University of Boras said the college “previously collaborated” with an Iranian university mentioned in UANI’s report, but that collaboration ended in 2022.

The U.K. amended its definitions for "extraordinary situations and extraordinary expenses" under the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's general sanctions guidance related to the agency's approach to licensing grounds.

The European Council on May 13 approved the suspension of import duties and quotas on exports from Ukraine and Moldova for another year, extending the measures for Ukraine until June 5, 2025, and for Moldova until July 25, 2025.

Laos formally accepted the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies May 13, moving the total number of countries that have accepted the deal to 74. The WTO requires 36 more to reach the two-thirds threshold needed for full acceptance of the agreement to be able to enter into effect.

Multiple Switzerland-based universities defended their research security practices this week after United Against Nuclear Iran said the Iranian military is exploiting partnerships between Iranian universities and the Swiss learning institutions to obtain sensitive research and technology (see 2405100023).

The U.K. High Court of Justice on May 10 made permanent a court order blocking sanctioned Russian entity VEB from taking a dispute with Barclays Bank to an arbitration court in Russia. The court rejected VEB's claim that British sanctions "frustrated" an arbitration agreement between the parties.

Estonian Bank LHV Pank said it plans to contest in court a $322,000 fine by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit for violating Estonia's International Sanctions Act."LHV Pank does not agree with the FIU’s resolution and plans to contest it in court," the bank said. "LHV Pank takes regulatory compliance very seriously and has put in place all necessary solutions to meet all due diligence obligations related to financial sanctions."