1215. Why did OFAC issue General License (GL) 26 ("Transactions Authorized Pursuant to the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations") in the Ukraine-/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 589 (URSR)?

GL 26 applies to transactions involving specified persons identified in the Annex to GL 26, who are designated under both the URSR and the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 587 (RuHSR). The purpose of GL 26 is to ensure that transactions authorized or exempt under the RuHSR, including transactions authorized by a general or specific license, that involve those specified persons are also authorized under the URSR, to the extent such transactions are prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 13662. However, GL 26 does not authorize any transaction prohibited by a directive issued pursuant to E.O. 13662, as incorporated into sections 589.202 through 589.205 of the URSR, or any transaction involving any person blocked pursuant to the RuHSR or the URSR other than the specified persons, unless separately authorized.