On August 26, 2026, the Government of Canada published an official amendment to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in the Canada Gazette, formally removing Anatoly Borisovich Chubais from the sanctions list. The amendment, registered as SOR/2026-178, repeals Item 1509 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
The official regulatory impact analysis statement clarifies the basis for the decision: “The Minister of Foreign Affairs has received a delisting application by Anatoly Borisovich Chubais that provides reasonable grounds to recommend his removal from Schedule 1“. While the specific arguments presented by Chubais are not detailed in the official notice, the decision reflects Canada’s commitment to “the fair and transparent application of sanctions“.
Background of Sanctions Against Chubais
Canada first imposed sanctions on Chubais in June 2025, following his inclusion on the so-called “List of 50” — a compilation of individuals in Vladimir Putin’s inner circle created by the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) following the death of Alexei Navalny . The sanctions imposed included:
-
An asset freeze on any property held in Canada
-
A ban on entry into Canada
-
Prohibition on dealings or provision of financial services by any person in Canada or Canadian citizens
The sanctions were part of Canada’s broader response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on over 3,400 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova linked to the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Chubais’s Relationship with Putin
Anatoly Chubais has held numerous high-profile positions throughout his career, serving under both President Boris Yeltsin and President Vladimir Putin. Official Russian government records show Chubais and Putin engaging in substantive discussions on technology and economic development during Chubais’s tenure as CEO of the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (Rosnano) . A 2010 official transcript from the Russian government’s website documents a meeting in which Putin referred to Chubais by name and discussed solar energy projects, polysilicon production, and joint research initiatives with former Soviet republics.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Chubais resigned from his position as the Russian president’s special representative for relations with international organizations and left Russia . Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Chubais’s resignation had been submitted . According to a March 2022 press report, Putin’s spokesperson noted it was Chubais’s “private business” whether he left the country.
Subsequently, Putin made critical public remarks about Chubais. According to reports citing official statements from the Russian Arbitration Court, Putin was quoted as stating that Chubais’s work “did not take off from an economic point of view ,” that there was “a huge financial hole ” at Rosnano, and that Chubais was “hiding ” in Israel . A Russian court later froze assets belonging to Chubais valued at 5.6 billion rubles (approximately $66.3 million) following a lawsuit by Rosnano.
Continued Sanctions Pressure on Russia
Despite this delisting, Canada continues to maintain and expand its sanctions against Russia. The regulatory impact analysis accompanying the Chubais delisting affirms that “Canada is steadfast in its commitment to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and its efforts toward a just and sustainable peace ” .
Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on over 3,400 individuals and entities . Recent amendments include sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, senior leadership supporting the defense-industrial base, and revenue-generating strategic sectors, particularly energy, nuclear services, and financial enablers including cryptocurrency .
