Russia Sanctions: Effectiveness and Enforcement Gaps

Russia sanctions have curbed some revenues, yet loopholes remain. A SITE seminar on June 18, 2025, reviewed what works and where enforcement fails. It also launched SanctionsRussia.org, a public hub for data and tools on Russia sanctions. The event featured experts from SITE, the KSE Institute, Corisk, and Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Tracking Sanctions in a Changing War Economy

Since 2022, governments have implemented a range of energy, trade, and finance measures targeting Russia. But Russia adapts, often via third countries. Researchers at the SITE seminar explored how to close these gaps and how new tools can guide better policy. The event also unveiled the SanctionsRussia.org portal, SITE’s new open-access platform for sanctions-related data, research, and policy tools, which centralizes evidence on Russia sanctions.

Plugging the Enforcement Holes

Speakers examined war financing, circumvention routes, and data transparency. They stressed that smarter enforcement is as vital as new rules. The new portal aims to help policymakers, journalists, and researchers compare evidence and design stronger Russia sanctions.

Key Rakeaways   

• Russia earned about $235 billion from oil and gas in 2024, less than in previous years due to sanctions pressure.
• Price-cap enforcement is the weak link; attestation rules need reform to ensure accurate pricing data.
• Shadow-fleet listings lack force without tighter, coordinated follow-up actions and secondary measures.
• Evasion routes have shifted from Belarus toward Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, raising enforcement risks.

From Rules to Results

Experts urged Europe to strengthen its enforcement capacity and prepare for scenarios with weaker U.S. involvement. They called for volume-focused energy measures and better export-control policing. The new portal will track evidence, rank compliance, and support future research on Russia sanctions.

Speakers

• Torbjörn Becker: Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE).
• Erlend Bjørtvedt: Founder and CEO, Corisk. 
• Benjamin Hilgenstock: Head of Macroeconomic Research & Strategy, KSE Institute.
• Anna Ekstedt: Sanctions Coordinator, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden. 
• Moderator — Maria Perrotta Berlin: Assistant Professor, SITE.

Further Reading

• Event summary and slides: visit SITE’s website
• Sanctions Web Portal: https://sanctionsrussia.org
• Seminar recording: visit SITE’s YouTube channel