Ending Sanctions

When can we end the madness

Submitted by peaceful anon

In 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing human rights violations, several countries and international organizations implemented a series of economic sanctions targeting Russia. These sanctions aimed to put pressure on the Russian government, deter further aggression, and encourage a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Additionally, there were cultural exclusions in arts and sports to further isolate Russia on the international stage. Ukraine’s war effort looks to be cracking. They are running out of manpower. When this conflict ends, can the West end the suite of sanctions installed in 2022? The West needs to be planning for this day.

Here's an overview of the economic sanctions and cultural exclusions enacted in 2022:

1. Financial Sanctions: Numerous countries, including the United States, European Union member states, Canada, and others, imposed financial sanctions on Russia. These measures involved freezing assets of Russian individuals and entities linked to the government or involved in the conflict. Additionally, restrictions were placed on financial transactions with Russian banks and institutions, limiting their ability to access international markets and conduct business abroad. The most trumpeted move being kicking Russian entities off of the SWIFT financial messaging system.

2. Trade Restrictions: Western countries imposed trade restrictions on Russia, including bans or limitations on the import and export of certain goods and commodities. These restrictions targeted key sectors of the Russian economy, such as energy, arms, and technology, with the aim of depriving Russia of crucial sources of revenue and limiting its ability to sustain its military operations. It has not worked as there are suppliers also under sanctions who are helping in combination with investment in domestic industries. In the end, this damaged Germany more than Russia.

3. Energy Sector Sanctions: Given Russia's significant role as a global energy supplier, some sanctions specifically targeted its energy sector. Measures included restrictions on investment in Russian energy projects, limits on technology transfer to Russian energy companies, and efforts to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas imports. As mentioned above, Germany was the most impaired by this set of sanctions.

4. Arms Embargo: Many countries imposed an arms embargo on Russia, prohibiting the sale or transfer of military equipment, technology, and services to the country. This was aimed at preventing Russia from obtaining further military capabilities and fueling the conflict in Ukraine.

5. Travel Bans and Asset Freezes: Individual sanctions were imposed on Russian officials, oligarchs, and other individuals deemed responsible for the invasion of Ukraine or human rights abuses. These measures included travel bans, preventing targeted individuals from entering certain countries, as well as asset freezes, which blocked their assets held in foreign jurisdictions. One could argue this was targeted at elites who may be able to pressure Putin and fellow decision makers to end the conflict.

6. International Financial Isolation: Efforts were made to isolate Russia from the international financial system, including excluding Russian banks from the SWIFT global payment network. This measure severely hampered Russia's ability to conduct cross-border financial transactions and trade. Russia was not caught flat-footed, as Russia had been developing an alternative to SWIFT for years and had workarounds.

7. Cultural Exclusions: In addition to economic sanctions, there were cultural exclusions in arts and sports. Many international cultural events, such as film festivals, art exhibitions, and concerts, either banned Russian participation or faced boycotts from artists and performers in solidarity with Ukraine. Furthermore, Russian athletes and teams were excluded from various international sports events, including the Olympics and world championships, as part of the response to the conflict. This might be the pettiest of moves as symphonies were not playing long dead composers’ music, and even ballerinas and poets faced heat.

Overall, the economic sanctions and cultural exclusions enacted in 2022 were intended to exert pressure on Russia, isolate it diplomatically and economically, and support efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine peacefully. The effectiveness of these measures in achieving their intended objectives remains subject to ongoing debate and analysis. Many would argue they have been an abject failure.

The West has to see that this conflict will end one day in the near future. No matter the outcome, there should be a plan in place for altering sanctions, removing sanctions or setting conditions for their termination. If these are purely about the conflict, they should end when the conflict ends. The West’s problem is that within the Western coalition, the EU has carried the burden, suffering consequences that America’s commodity powerhouse status protects consumers from enduring. They will be eager to end sanctions and possibly with different end goals in mind. There should be no separate peace with sanctions. There should also be a removal of sanctions to better connect Russia with foreign partners. We must prevent a cleavage in the global order and economy that these sanctions have provided fuel for starting.

The problem lies with our Western elites. Russia faces demographic headwinds and will likely never threaten the West. The West has to be honest about that. Will Western elites admit that sanctions failed and Ukraine lost? The media is leaving a trail of breadcrumbs that signify they know the end is near. The Tucker-Putin interview was not a victory lap. Putin knows Russia has the advantage but has paid dearly for it. Putin wants some form of integration with the global order. Russia will have a win but a win that weakens them. It would be beneficial for all to attempt some form of reconciliation even if it is purely economic.