EU Sanctions Russia - Part.1

Following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the European Union condemned Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, the EU's response remained largely diplomatic rather than punitive. While the EU temporarily suspended negotiations on a new partnership agreement with Russia, it resumed talks later that year, reflecting the EU's preference for engagement over confrontation. No significant economic sanctions were imposed at this stage, signaling the bloc’s cautious approach due to energy dependence and internal divisions among member states.

A major shift occurred in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The EU imposed a series of targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans on individuals and entities linked to the annexation. These were followed by sectoral economic sanctions affecting finance, energy, and defense industries. The EU coordinated these actions closely with the United States and other allies. Over the following years, sanctions were regularly renewed and modestly expanded, including measures targeting Russian disinformation and cyber activities.

Between 2015 and early 2022, the EU maintained its sanctions framework, largely focused on encouraging implementation of the Minsk agreements. The EU also introduced restrictive measures in response to human rights abuses, including the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny in 2020. These sanctions reflected a broader strategic shift, with the EU increasingly framing Russia as a geopolitical adversary. Nonetheless, the measures remained relatively limited in scope compared to what would be implemented after the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.