Europe’s Escalating Sanctions Landscape: Key Cases and Emerging Risks
Recorded on December 9, 2025
European sanctions enforcement activity has increased sharply since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with European countries collectively reporting nearly 6,000 criminal and regulatory investigations and the U.K. signaling its own shift toward more assertive, intelligence-driven action. Companies operating across the U.K.–EU now face a landscape defined by heightened scrutiny, increasingly complex supply chains, and rapidly evolving sanctions packages. As regulators sharpen their focus and expand the scope of enforcement, understanding these developments has become essential for organizations seeking to protect their operations and manage cross-border risk.
This webinar provides a clear and consolidated overview of enforcement trends across Europe and the U.K., highlighting the key prosecutions and investigative priorities shaping the current environment. Speakers examine major Russia-related cases as well as significant actions tied to Iran, Belarus, China, and dual-use goods. Gain insight into where European authorities are concentrating their efforts, such as circumvention through third countries, exports of controlled items, financial flows, service-based enforcement, and opaque ownership structures, and walk away with practical guidance on strengthening compliance programs, reducing exposure to high-risk transactions, and aligning with anticipated enforcement priorities for 2025–26.
Speakers:
Freya Page
Director, Global Outreach, Kharon
Freya has substantial experience working as a sanctions specialist, working with the public and private sectors to ensure U.K. financial sanctions are properly implemented, enforced, and understood. Starting in the sanctions and illicit finance field with HM Treasury in 2015, she went on to be a founding team member of the U.K.'s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).
Freya has undertaken roles across Compliance, Enforcement, Guidance, and Engagement. Freya joined Kharon in October 2023, working across several country sanctions regimes and speaking regularly to help government, industry, and NGOs understand, manage, and promote sanctions risk solutions.
Mark Handley
Partner, Duane Morris
Mark Handley, a partner in Duane Morris’ London office, is an experienced solicitor-advocate whose practice centers on cross-border disputes and international litigation. He has acted extensively in the Commercial Court as well as in other divisions of the English High Court, including the Chancery Division, the Administrative Court, and the Technology and Construction Court. A substantial part of his work involves matters arising under the Arbitration Act 1996, arbitration-related applications, and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Mr. Handley regularly advises on issues concerning the appearance of foreign states before the English courts, challenges to and enforcement of arbitral awards, and questions of state immunity. He is familiar with all major sets of arbitral rules, including ICSID, UNCITRAL (both the 1976 and later versions), ICC, LCIA and LMAA Terms. His experience also extends to litigation in support of arbitration, such as obtaining interim remedies, including freezing orders, anti-suit and anti-arbitration injunctions, as well as challenges to arbitrators, challenges to awards and related enforcement proceedings.