An Assessment of thAn Assessment of the Efficacy of Economic Sanctions in Response to Russian Military Aggression in Ukrainee Efficacy of Economic Sanctions in Response to Russian Military Aggression in Ukraine

Abstract

Economic Sanctions are being deployed by the West in the Russia-Ukraine conflict at a level never before attempted with the intention of wrecking the Russian economy. Very little attention is given to the dismal record of sanctions or the consequences of sanctions on civilians, mercantile enterprises, global and regional economies, and the economies of countries applying the sanctions. This paper examines the unintended consequences of sanctions and argues that they are ineffective at countering military aggression because they are ambiguous when calibrated against military actions which require precise responses with strong signals. Criteria for the evaluation of possible responses to military aggression are proposed.

Keywords

• war in ukraine
• peace and security