# Up to the Task? The State of Play in Countries Committed to Freezing and Seizing Russian Dirty Money URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/up-to-the-task-freezing-seizing-russia-dirty-money Type: Publication or report Published: 2022-05-24 Updated: 2023-07-21 --- 24 May 2022 Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 ignited a global reckoning over the dangers of kleptocracy and the international community’s decades-long complicity. The initial response of the advanced Western economies was to unleash new waves of targeted sanctions against Kremlin-linked individuals. But denying safe haven to Russian kleptocrats calls for multilateral efforts, including tracking down the illicit wealth they have diligently hidden across the globe. In a welcome step, several governments – primarily Western economies such as those making up the G7 – are now joining efforts to share intelligence and cooperate across borders as part of a dedicated task force. This study assesses how well countries leading multilateral efforts to freeze and seize kleptocrats’ assets are equipped to deliver on their objectives. The comparative analysis covers eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. See also: - Feature article: [Reality check: Can the West bring kleptocrats to justice?](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/reality-check-western-sanctions-russia-kleptocrats-assets-justice) - Press release: [G7 and other leading economies unequipped to go after Russian elites, report finds](https://www.transparency.org/en/press/g7-unequipped-russian-kleptocrats-dirty-money-sanctions-report) - Campaign: [Countering Russia's kleptocrats](https://www.transparency.org/en/campaigns/countering-russia-kleptocrats-after-ukraine) ## Additional downloads - [Download 'Executive summary, Up to the task (2022)' \[PDF\]](https://files.transparencycdn.org/images/2022-Executive-summary-Up-to-the-task.pdf) ### Related publications ## [Regional Assessment of Integrity in Political Finance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-political-finance-asia) Publication • 03 September 2026 This report reviews systems across 17 countries to identify the areas of political finance most in need of reform. ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Whistleblowing Authorities in Europe: Roles, challenges and lessons learned](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/whistleblowing-authorities-in-europe-roles-challenges-and-lessons-learned) Publication • 19 June 2026 This report examines the institutional design, mandates and functioning of national whistleblowing authorities across Europe. ## [Corruption fighters' toolkit: civil society experiences and emerging strategies](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/corruption-fighters-toolkit-civil-society-experiences-and-emerging-strategi) Publication • 15 August 2002 ## Priorities - [Dirty money](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/dirty-money) ## Countries - [Australia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/australia) - [Canada](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/canada) - [France](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/france) - [Germany](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/germany) - [Italy](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/italy) - [Netherlands](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/netherlands) - [United Kingdom](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/united-kingdom) - [United States](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/united-states) ## Regions - [Global](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/global) ![Report cover page, in the photo an FBI agent in front of Oleg Deripaska's house](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2022-Report-cover-Up-to-the-task.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2022-Report-Up-to-the-task.pdf)