Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Situation in the Western Balkans

This executive order amends Executive Order 14033 to expand sanctions authorities targeting individuals and entities threatening stability in the Western Balkans. It broadens criteria for blocking property and suspending entry to include undermining democratic institutions, obstructing regional peace agreements like the Prespa and Ohrid agreements, serious human rights abuse, and corruption involving government officials. The order also adds new categories of covered persons including spouses, adult children, and those who materially assist sanctioned individuals.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 2589

Key directives

Amend Executive Order 14033 by replacing Section 1 with expanded blocking criteria
Block all property and interests in property of persons determined by Secretary of Treasury (in consultation with Secretary of State) who engage in specified activities
Expand covered activities to include: threatening peace/security/stability/territorial integrity; undermining democratic processes/institutions; obstructing regional agreements (Prespa Agreement 2018, Ohrid Framework Agreement 2001, UNSCR 1244, Dayton Accords, London Conference 1995 conclusions, ICTY/IRMCT); serious human rights abuse; corruption related to Western Balkans governments
Add covered persons: leaders/officials/members of offending entities; material assistants/sponsors; owned/controlled persons; owners/controllers of blocked persons; spouses and adult children of persons blocked under subsections (i)-(v)
Maintain existing exceptions for statutes, regulations, orders, directives, or licenses

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Expanded blocking authority takes effect upon signing for newly covered persons
Property of persons meeting amended criteria is blocked

Near term (90d)

Treasury/State Department determinations of persons meeting new criteria
Implementation of new corruption and human rights abuse designations

Long term

Potential expansion of sanctions designations under broader criteria
Ongoing impact on regional diplomatic and economic relationships in Western Balkans

Risks & tensions

Spouse/adult child provision (1)(a)(x) may raise due process concerns by imposing sanctions based on family relationship rather than individual conduct
Broad corruption definition ('corruption related to the Western Balkans') creates significant discretionary authority for Treasury/State
Vague phrase 'pose a significant risk of committing such an act' in (iii) lowers threshold for preventive sanctions without requiring actual conduct
Expansion from 'undermine democratic processes or institutions' (previous EO 14033) to explicit inclusion of 'developing' such policies in (ii) may capture planning-stage activities
Quiet issuance on January 8, 2025 with minimal public ceremony suggests deliberate low-profile approach to sensitive regional diplomacy