These and many other questions were raised during the seminar “Sanctions Against Russia – Effective or Still Not Enough?” on 23 January 2020 at the ICDS. The event was moderated by ICDS Chief Executive Dmitri Teperik.
The leading Ukrainian think tank, International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS), has prepared an analysis, specifying current gaps in the sanctions system, suggesting urgent improvements of individual and economic sanctions, as well as outlining clear benchmarks for revision of the sanctions regime.
The report was introduced by Anastacia Galouchka and Kateryna Moskalenko from the ICPS.
Paul Teesalu, Undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an overview of Estonia’s views and principles on sanctions imposed on Russia, and the approach of the European Union as a whole.
Raivo Vare, a well-known foreign and economic policy expert analysed Russia’s ability to withstand sanctions and brought out the areas, where Russia’s developments are therefore most affected.
Some EU Member State leaders are emphasising the need to re-engage Russia more closely in international security and economic discussions. Noticeably have simplified the criteria for selective engagement with Russia which is one of the five guiding principles agreed by EU members. Further strengthening of the sanction mechanism would be very complicated. On the other hand, the lifting of sanctions in absence of any progress on Russia’s part, without full implementation of the Minsk agreements, is impossible.
Download and read the report “Sanctions Against Russia: Current Status, Prospects, Successes and Gaps in the Multilateral International Sanctions Regime Against the Russian Federation”.
- ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting): According to Ukrainian analysts, Western sanctions against Russia are not effective (news in Estonian, interviews in English)
- Postimees: The Kiev think tank recommends extending sanctions against Russia (in Estonian)
