---
title: "Autonomous (Unilateral) Sanctions Definition"
description: "Autonomous sanctions are unilateral measures imposed by states without UN approval. They include asset freezes and trade embargoes, often used by the US."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/autonomous-sanctions"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Autonomous sanctions are coercive economic or political measures imposed unilaterally by a state or regional bloc without authorisation from the UN Security Council.
- How do autonomous sanctions differ from UN sanctions?
- What are secondary sanctions?
- What is India's position on unilateral sanctions?
- Which legal instruments authorise US and EU autonomous sanctions?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In 2022 the European Union, acting under Article 215 TFEU, autonomously froze roughly €300 billion of Russian central-bank reserves and expelled major Russian banks from SWIFT after a feared Russian veto blocked any UN Security Council sanction.

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