Trade, tariffs and industry

Executive Order 13685: Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to the Crimea Region of Ukraine

President: Barack Obama

Blocked designated Crimea-related actors and broadly prohibited US trade, investment and services involving Crimea.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13685 still in effect? Yes. Active Ukraine/Russia sanctions authority implemented through 31 CFR part 589 and later expanded to other occupied regions.

What does Executive Order 13685 do?

EO 13685 responded to Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea by prohibiting new US investment in the region, imports from Crimea, exports and services to Crimea, and approval or financing of prohibited transactions. It also authorized blocking sanctions against people operating there or supporting designated actors. OFAC still lists the order in its active Ukraine/Russia program; EO 14065 later imposed similar restrictions for additional Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.

Administration position: The restrictions are broad but not absolute: OFAC licenses and statutory exceptions can authorize humanitarian, communications and other defined activity.
SignedDecember 19, 2014
RegionCrimea
Regulations31 CFR part 589

Before and after

Before the order

Earlier Ukraine orders mainly targeted designated persons and sectors rather than imposing a region-wide Crimea trade regime.

After the order

US persons faced comprehensive Crimea investment, trade and services restrictions plus blocking rules.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Treasury OFACDesignate persons issue licenses and enforceContinuing
US personsReject or block prohibited transactions and report as requiredContinuing
Businesses and aid groupsReview current licenses and regional scopeContinuing

What happened next

EO 13685 imposed Crimea restrictions.

EO 14065 extended a parallel framework to additional occupied regions.