Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13661: Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Ukraine

President: Barack Obama

Expanded Ukraine-related sanctions to Russian government officials, the arms sector and people supporting senior Russian officials.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13661 still in effect? Yes. Active Ukraine-related emergency authority; OFAC administers it alongside later Russia sanctions.

What does Executive Order 13661 do?

EO 13661 expanded the national emergency declared in EO 13660 after Russia’s actions in Ukraine. It authorized blocking property of listed persons and of additional Russian officials, arms-sector actors, entities linked to designated officials and material supporters, subject to Treasury determinations. OFAC continues to list this order within the Ukraine-/Russia-related sanctions program, and the underlying emergency was continued beyond March 2026. Particular designations and licenses must be checked against OFAC’s current records.

Administration position: A person is not blocked merely for being Russian or working for any Russian business; coverage depends on designation, ownership rules or another prohibition.
SignedMarch 16, 2014
ExpansionRussian officials and arms sector
Regulations31 CFR part 589

Before and after

Before the order

EO 13660 focused on conduct directly destabilizing Ukraine.

After the order

Treasury gained broader status- and sector-based grounds connected to Russian state power.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
TreasuryDesignate covered officials entities and supportersContinuing
US personsApply blocking and reporting rulesContinuing
BusinessesScreen counterparties and ownershipContinuing

What happened next

EO 13660 declared the Ukraine-related emergency.

EO 13661 expanded blocking authority.