Experts: Lifting sanctions on Russia would bring serious consequences for the EU
The sanctions introduced against Russia have given a very clear signal to the Russian Federation and the rest of the world that its violation of the rights and territorial integrity of other countries would lead to an appropriate response. Their removal would have serious implications for the EU, says an expert report of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, published with the support of Rasmussen Global.
"Removing the sanctions without serious political concessions will have serious long-term consequences for the EU and its allies,” the authors of the report believe. They warn that the unjustified lifting of restrictions against Russia may in the long term lower the strength of the EU and its allies. To improve the situation, all partners need to act in concord, the researchers think.
According to them, despite the fact that international allies were able to stand their ground, the power of sanctions diminished slightly. The reason for this was the weak coordination policy, including visits of some European leaders to Moscow. Thus, while Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries firmly stand for the preservation of the sanctions against Russia, Greece and Slovenia, on the opposite, are actively against them. These countries have lost much less in absolute terms.
Now, the sanction list of the EU includes more than 200 individuals and 70 companies from Russia.
The issue of new sanctions will be discussed before the EU summit, which will take place in Brussels on October 20-21. If the Foreign Ministers approve the new sanctions list, it will be submitted to the EU summit.