Sharpening EU Sanctions Policy for a Geopolitical Era

Helwig NiklasJokela JuhaPortela Clara (Eds.)Aula IlariBerg-Andersson BirgittaLehmus MarkkuPesu MattiSinkkonen Ville

Abstract

The European Union (EU) increasingly uses sanctions in order to respond to breaches of international norms and adverse security developments in its neighbourhood and beyond. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of EU sanctions and discusses options on how to maintain them as an effective tool.

The study identifies the withdrawal of the UK as one of main architects of the instrument and an increasingly unilateral and unpredictable US sanctions policy as key challenges. In addition, the EU’s machinery for planning, deciding, implementing and enforcing sanctions exposes vulnerabilities in an increasingly geopolitical environment.

The current shifts in international relations constitute an opportunity to clarify the strategic nature of EU sanctions and to fine-tune the sanctions machinery. EU unity and a joint diplomatic approach to international crises are vital for the success of the policy tool. Consequently, the efforts to improve the instrument need to ensure member states’ ownership of EU sanctions policy.

Our economic analysis of Russia sanctions and countermeasures reveals rather minor macroeconomic repercussions for the EU and Finnish economy. The efforts to sharpen EU sanctions policy is important for Finland as one of the smaller and export oriented countries in the EU given the increasingly turbulent world marked by geopolitical competition.

Publications of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities, 2020:31.

Information om publikationen

Datum
27.05.2020
Nyckelord
European Union, Common foreign and security policy, Sanctions, Brexit, United Kingdom, Transatlantic relations, International relations, Restrictive measures, Economic sanctions, Russia
Sidor
203
Språk
Engelska
Ladda ner publikationen
urn.fi