US Sanctions Architecture
OFAC, CAATSA and Secondary Sanctions
The United States employs a layered sanctions regime through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the US Treasury Department. Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the US and G7 nations imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia's energy sector, including a price cap on Russian crude at $60 per barrel under the G7-EU coalition. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), enacted in 2017, authorises secondary sanctions — penalising third-country entities that engage in significant transactions with Russia's defence or intelligence sectors. India has faced ongoing pressure under this framework, particularly for defence purchases (S-400 air defence system) and continued Russian oil imports.
- CAATSA (2017): Authorises secondary sanctions on third parties transacting with Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
- OFAC General Licenses: Permit specific categories of transactions otherwise prohibited by sanctions — temporary and specific in scope.
- G7 Russian oil price cap ($60/barrel): Prohibits Western shipping and insurance services for Russian oil sold above the cap.
- India became the top buyer of Russian seaborne crude post-2022, reportedly importing over 1.7 million barrels per day at peak.
● Tracked since March 06, 2026 · last seen June 22, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes