Russia's designation of “unfriendly countries” has moved far beyond its original purpose in foreign economic policy. A series of decrees and court rulings now apply the list to domestic family law, property rights, and financial obligations, with direct consequences for individuals across Europe and beyond.
The list was formalised in a government order in March 2022, weeks after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It covers the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, and all EU member states — countries that have consistently pushed back against Russia's aggression.
This autumn, the Russian government nearly doubled import duties on spirits from these countries, raising the rate from 20% to 35%, a move that primarily hits European and North American producers. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has linked the placement of foreign companies' Russian assets under temporary administration directly to their home countries being on the list. That measure has affected the Russian operations of Nestlé, Auchan, FM Logistic, Leroy Merlin, Metro Cash & Carry, Tarkett, and Japan Tobacco International (JTI), among others.
Courts apply the list to family disputes
The most striking expansion has been into family law. Russia's Supreme Court cited the unfriendly countries designation in a child custody dispute, ruling that returning a child to France could run counter to her interests in part because France appears on the list. The case involved Russian citizen Alexei Ermakov, who took his daughter on a two-week holiday to Turkey and Slovakia in March 2025 with the consent of her mother, Ukrainian citizen Anna Tishkova, then brought the child to Russia in April. He subsequently arranged Russian citizenship for the girl. Despite international agreements on returning children to their country of habitual residence, the court declined to order her return to France.
Legal experts note that this marks a departure from standard principles of private international law, which require courts to resolve custody matters, contracts, and property disputes on their legal merits, regardless of the nationality or political status of the parties. The ruling has raised concerns among European families with cross-border ties, as similar cases could set a precedent.
Property and vehicles under threat
The list is also being used to weaken property protections. A bill supported in the State Duma would allow vehicles stolen or illegally exported from unfriendly countries to be registered in Russia. Supporters argue it addresses legal gaps caused by the breakdown in cooperation with Western states; opponents say it would undermine property rights for owners in those countries.
In a separate case, the Supreme Court ordered the Interior Ministry to register a vehicle flagged in an international database at Canada's request, ruling that listing in an international stolen vehicles register is not in itself sufficient grounds to refuse registration in Russia. This decision effectively opens the door to registering vehicles that are internationally recognised as stolen.
President Vladimir Putin signed a decree this autumn under which individuals who cannot prove citizenship of Russia or a friendly state, or produce a residency permit, are automatically treated as persons from unfriendly countries. A further decree allows Russian debtors to withhold payment from creditors in unfriendly countries, departing from the standard principle of equal treatment of parties to contracts.
These measures have significant implications for European businesses and individuals with Russian counterparts. For example, a French parent seeking the return of a child, a German company trying to recover a debt, or a British owner of a stolen vehicle now faces a legal landscape where political designation can override legal norms. The European Union has condemned the use of such designations as a tool of coercion, but legal remedies remain limited.
As the list continues to expand its reach, European policymakers and legal experts are watching closely. The practical effects are already visible in trade, with higher tariffs on European spirits, and in courtrooms, where the list is cited as a factor in decisions. For now, the “unfriendly countries” list has become a multi-purpose instrument of Russian state policy, affecting not only state-to-state relations but also the daily lives of individuals and companies across the continent.
