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European Union Sanctions Against Russia

Objectives, Impacts and Next Steps

SWP Comment 2015/C 17, 20.03.2015, 7 Pages Research Areas

The European Union responded to Russia's intervention in Ukraine in March 2014, imposing sanctions that have been successively tightened since. Germany was an active participant in the process. Sanctions have become a familiar instrument of EU foreign policy in recent years. But the measures applied against Russia are unprecedented in both target and scope. And they have tangible repercussions on economically stricken EU member states. Ultimately, it is by no means certain that sanctions can or will achieve their stated goal of changing Russia's policy vis-à-vis Ukraine.