On May 20, 2020 a draft bill on amendments to the Federal Law on Counter Sanctions was introduced to the Russian Parliament. The proposed amendments authorize the Government to allow importation of sanctioned goods to Russia if: 

  • the goods constitute essential commodities that do not have analogues in Russia; and/or 
  • the goods do have Russian analogues, but there is deficit of such goods due to particular circumstances (national emergency, high-alert regime, etc.)

Sanctioned good essentially refers to any good, the importation of which into Russia is prohibited or otherwise restricted by Russian trade sanctions.

To become a law this bill would need to pass 3 readings in the State Duma, be approved by the Federation Council, and then be signed by the Russian President.