The problematic effectiveness of the EU sanctions against Russia

This study examines the effectiveness of European Union sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine. It explores the strategic rationale for sanctions as instruments of coercive diplomacy to impose economic pressure without military intervention.

The EU sanctions target Russia’s economic base, energy exports, military-industrial complex, and political elite to curtail its war capabilities and compel compliance with international law. While official EU assessments highlight significant economic and strategic impacts, including reduced energy revenues and restricted access to technology and finance, Russian adaptations through import substitution and trade redirection have mitigated these effects.

The analysis underscores the complex, conditional nature of sanctions’ success, noting that despite some measurable results, the primary objective of ending Russian military operations remains unfulfilled. The study concludes that sanctions’ overall effectiveness is mixed and contingent on evolving geopolitical dynamics and enforcement measures.