Sanctions and counter-sanctions – What are their economic effects in Russia and elsewhere?

Abstract

In this note, I review the literature on the economic effects of sanctions against Russia and Russia’s counter-sanctions. As a general observation, studies of the macroeconomic effects of sanctions on Russia and their effects on international trade and financial flows must deal with the nearly concurrent oil price collapse at the introduction of sanctions. Most papers support the view that sanctions have worked as planned, noting the drag they have imposed on Russia’s general economic development since 2014. This adverse effect most likely operates by depressing both foreign trade and foreign capital flows into Russia. Russia’s own counter-sanctions have also had a clear negative effect on the welfare of the average Russian household.