📢 EU adopts 18th sanctions package against Russia On 18 July, the EU rolled out new sanctions targeting Russia’s military, energy, and financial sectors. Key highlights include: Military sanctions 🛡 ❌ Tighter export restrictions on certain dual-use goods and technologies; ❌ Export bans on additional machines and chemicals; ❌ Full-fledged sanctions on suppliers of the Russian military industrial complex. Energy sanctions ♻ ❌ Moving price cap on Russian crude oil 15% below of its average market price; ❌ Sanctions against the vessels of the so-called shadow fleet; ❌ Import ban on certain refined petroleum products. Banking sanctions 💳 ❌ Full transaction ban on 22 additional Russian banks; ❌ Transaction ban on third countries’ financial and credit institutions and crypto-asset service providers; ❌ Ban on carrying out any transaction with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) . 📎 Read the full article to learn more about the further measures the sanctions package include: https://lnkd.in/dQFiVxAr If you need any legal support, feel free to reach out to Partner Luke Wochensky, Senior Counsel Nagy Akos or Senior Associate Fanni Oroszi, LL.M. #RussiaSanctions #SanctionsPackage #EU #MilitarySanctions #EnergySanctions #BankingSenctions #EUSanctions #TransactionBan #RDIF #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow

Kinstellar Capital Markets series: Ad-hoc disclosures under the EU Listing Act 🚨 EU Listing Act introduces new rules for ad-hoc disclosures in protracted processes—such as M&A transactions, takeovers, and corporate reorganisations. 🔍 What’s changing? Issuers will generally need to disclose only the final event of a protracted process—not every intermediate step. The goal: increased legal certainty for issuers, reduce premature disclosures and improve market clarity. ⚠️ What issuers must still be aware of: Intermediate steps must still be assessed under Article 7 MAR. If they qualify as inside information, confidentiality must be ensured. Issuers must monitor for leaks and be ready to disclose immediately if confidentiality can no longer be maintained. Key takeaways: 📌 Disclosure now tied to the final event in ongoing processes 📌 No safe harbour—intermediate steps must still be reviewed for MAR relevance 📌 Issuers must implement or update market monitoring and leak detection measures 📌 Draft disclosures should be prepared in advance for critical stages 📌 Applies from July 2026—preparation starts now 📥 For a detailed summary, please read our checklist: https://lnkd.in/dkNh87WW Our ECM team, led by Petra Heindl (Counsel, Vienna), is here to support you with compliance updates, internal training, and disclosure procedures. #ExceptionalTogether #CapitalMarkets #EUListingAct #AdHocDisclosure #MAR #RegulatoryUpdate #CorporateCompliance #MandA #Governance #ECM

Last Friday, the Kazakhstan team came together for an amazing team-building event filled with laughter, collaboration, and positive energy. 🌟 We believe that strong teams are built not only through hard work but also by sharing great moments together. A big thank you to everyone who participated – your energy and team spirit made this event truly special! 💪 #ExceptionalTogether #TeamBuilding #Kazakhstan #TeamSpirit #Teamwork #DreamWork

🇺🇦 🌟Proud to share our results in Ukrainian Law Firms. A Handbook for Foreign Clients 2025. 🥇 Leading firm in #Infrastructure and #Telecommunications 🥈 5 advanced practices and 7 established areas/industries 🏆 14 individual rankings Celebrated Practitioner / Authority: Olexander Martinenko - Antitrust and Competition / Energy & Natural Resources; Leading Individual: Oleg Matiusha - Real Estate, Construction, Land; Notable Practitioners: Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova - Corporate and M&A; Telecommunications; Yulia Eismont - Antitrust and Competition; Natalia Kirichenko - Intellectual Property; Information Technologies; Telecommunications; Olena Kuchynska - Corporate and M&A; Olexander Martinenko - International Arbitration; Oleg Matiusha – Infrastructure; Illya Muchnyk - Banking & Finance, Capital Markets; Maksym Tesliar – Labour and Employment, Immigration. 🙏 “These results show the breadth and quality of our expertise across the various fields where our team consistently delivers to the highest standards. Thank you to our entire team for their exceptional work — and congratulations on the achievements! We are also deeply grateful to our clients for their unwavering trust” commented Olena Kuchynska, Office Managing Partner, Kyiv. 🎉 Our heartfelt congratulations go to our resilient #Ukrainian team. Keep up the inspiring work! 🚀 📖 More details: https://lnkd.in/gZ5FcYpD #exceptionaltogether #LawFirms #UkrainianLawFirms #LegalAchievements #NotableTransactions #Recognition #teamwork #leadinglawyers #leadinglawfirm

📢 Our team has advised JSC Halyk Bank on its USD 237 million strategic partnership with Uzbekistan’s leading fintech platform, Click – a landmark transaction reflecting the growing convergence of banking and digital services in Central Asia. Under the deal, Halyk acquires a 49% stake in Click for USD 176.4 million, while Click’s shareholders take a 49% stake in Halyk’s Uzbek subsidiary, Tenge Bank, for USD 60.76 million. Representing the largest private sector transaction in Uzbekistan to date, the deal features an innovative and balanced structure that enables both parties to remain independent while forming a powerful alliance in Uzbekistan’s rapidly evolving digital finance landscape. The partnership brings together two market leaders with complementary strengths, serving over 32 million customers across the region and aiming to accelerate product innovation in retail and SME banking. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. 💼 Our team provided integrated legal support across three jurisdictions, with lead Partner Kuanysh Shekerbekov, supported by Associates Zhandaulet Sholanov and Alfiya Sharipova, Counsel Kamilla Khamraeva and Senior Associate Jakhongir Azatov (Uzbekistan), and Partner Hugh Owen (English law). 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dHwg4PUP #ExceptionalTogether #DoneDeals #Uzbekistan #Kazakhstan #CentralAsia #FinanceLaw

We are proud to support MVM Zrt., Hungary’s state-owned energy company, in expanding its presence in Serbia. Our Budapest and Belgrade offices jointly advised on the signing of the transaction documents for acquisition of a majority shares in Energotehnika Južna Bačka and Elektromontaža Kraljevo - raising MVM’s share from 33.4% to 60%. 📈 Energotehnika Južna Bačka and Elektromontaža Kraljevo are among Serbia’s leading energy infrastructure companies, with decades of experience and strong market reputations. This strategic move reflects MVM’s long-term commitment to the Western Balkans and strengthens its role in the region’s energy infrastructure. Serbia’s geographic position and favorable market conditions make it a natural hub for further growth. 🌍 The deal follows MVM’s initial investment in 2022 and builds on the strong performance of both Serbian companies. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2025, pending regulatory approval. ✅ 🤝 Our team was led by Sara Ostojić, Senior Associate (Belgrade), Aron Barta, Managing Associate, and Katalin Nógrádi, Senior Associate (Budapest), with key support from Belgrade office Partners Miloš Velimirović and Milan Samardžić. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/drhq8hvj #ExceptionalTogether #DoneDeals #Hungary #Serbia #MVM #Energy #EnergyLaw #MergersAndAcquisitions #CEE #WesternBalkans

📢 We are proud to have advised KentBank, a client-focused Croatian bank specialising in retail and SME banking, on a strategic transaction involving the acquisition and maintenance of core banking software source code. 🤝 Our team in Zagreb provided end-to-end legal support—leading negotiations, drafting and reviewing key transaction documents, and advising on intellectual property protection and compliance with banking industry standards during the transitional period. 💼 The transaction was led by Miroslav Plašćar, Co-Managing Partner, Zagreb, and Vedran Kopilović, Counsel, with the support of our local technology and intellectual property team. #ExceptionalTogether #MergersandAcquisitions #Croatia #DoneDeals #TechnologyLaw #IntellectualProperty #LegalTech

👨💻 As of 1 July 2025, major amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act have officially come into effect. One of the most notable changes is that Bulgaria has introduced a new residence permit option for digital nomads - a big step towards attracting remote talent from around the world. To qualify as a digital nomad, applicants must meet specific criteria outlined in the new legislation. 💡 Read the full article for more details here: https://lnkd.in/dYenZQh4 ✍️ Written by Nina Tsifudina (Partner) and Vilislava Kolarova (Associate). #ExceptionalTogether #Employment #Law #DigitalNomads #Bulgaria #ImmigrationLaw #RemoteWork #LegalUpdate #DigitalNomad

🏢 We’ve moved! 🇺🇿 We are delighted to announce that our Tashkent office has moved to a new address: 📍 NEST ONE TOWER 1a-4 Islam Karimov Street, Block C 14 Floor, Office 116 This marks a big step in our team’s growth and commitment to providing top-tier legal services in #Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asia region. Our new and modern space will even better support our growing team. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home! 🎉 #ExceptionalTogether #NewOffice #Tashkent #OfficeMove #CentralAsia #Tashkent #TeamGrowth