Here is the rewritten article in Markdown format:
Financial Sanctions Regimes in Russia: Strengthening Measures to End the War
A group of international experts has convened a working group to recommend new economic measures to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions aims to provide expertise and experience to governments and companies around the world by assisting with the formulation of sanctions proposals that will increase the cost to Russia of invading Ukraine.
Identifying a Significant Threat
The working group, comprising experts from academia, think tanks, and international organizations, has identified a significant threat posed by lawyers working on behalf of sanctioned individuals to the integrity of the US sanctions regime against Russia. Sanctions, particularly individual sanctions, are a central weapon in the United States’ national security arsenal.
Recommendations for Strengthening Sanctions
To address this issue, the group recommends that:
- Congress, federal agencies, and state bar associations implement a comprehensive regulatory regime for lawyers engaging in certain transactional work to ensure US lawyers are no longer enablers of sanctions evasion.
- Strengthen sanctions against Russia by increasing pressure on Putin to withdraw his army from Ukraine.
Update to Action Plan
The working group has issued an update to its action plan, outlining further actions that can be taken to impinge Russia’s ability to wage war against Ukraine. Members of the group have also testified before parliamentary committees and spoken at events to raise awareness about the need for strengthened sanctions.
Available Resources
A fully searchable global database of individuals and companies sanctioned or yet to be sanctioned in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is available online, along with a tracker monitoring targeted financial sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A report by the Renew Democracy Initiative provides a comprehensive analysis of how policymakers can transfer Russian assets to Ukraine.
Composition of the Working Group
The working group consists of experts from various fields, including:
- Economics
- Finance
- International relations
Economists for Ukraine, a group of economists with expertise in macroeconomics, finance, and behavioral economics, has also been established to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine by raising awareness about important issues related to stopping Russian aggression.
Commitment to Providing a Platform
The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions is committed to providing a platform for experts to share their knowledge and experience in developing effective measures to counter Russian aggression.