On October 14, 2022, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) held a section "Cooperation with Friendly Countries amid Sanctions Pressure on Russia" within the framework of the XIV Russian International Studies Association (RISA) Convention.
Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Director of Programs, acted as the section’s chairman as well as outlined the current trends in international sanctions policy and pivotal transformations in this sphere that have occurred over the past six months. In particular, Ivan Timofeev drew attention to the fact that preliminary forecasts regarding sanctions against Russia and their consequences were very pessimistic. However, financial and economic measures helped stabilize the situation. At the same time, this does not mean that negative effects of the restrictive measures will not affect the Russian economy in the mid- and longer term.
On October 14, 2022, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) held a section "Cooperation with Friendly Countries amid Sanctions Pressure on Russia" within the framework of the XIV Russian International Studies Association (RISA) Convention.
Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Director of Programs, acted as the section’s chairman as well as outlined the current trends in international sanctions policy and pivotal transformations in this sphere that have occurred over the past six months. In particular, Ivan Timofeev drew attention to the fact that preliminary forecasts regarding sanctions against Russia and their consequences were very pessimistic. However, financial and economic measures helped stabilize the situation. At the same time, this does not mean that negative effects of the restrictive measures will not affect the Russian economy in the mid- and longer term.
Lev Sokolshchik, Associate Professor of the School of International Regional Studies, Research Fellow at the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies (CCEIS) of the Higher School of Economics, presented a report on the topic "U.S. Sanctions Policy against the USSR: Value for Modernity". The speaker analyzed the main stages of the U.S. sanctions policy against the USSR, identifying key features of the implementation of restrictive measures, the effects of U.S. sanctions policy on foreign trade and technological development of the Soviet Union. Building on the example of U.S. "pipeline" sanctions, the speaker illustrated important factors of adaptation to sanctions pressure amid acute international political confrontation. The report is important for understanding the experience of the USSR's resilience against economic pressure from the United States in the context of the current policy of sanctions of the United States and other Western countries.
Sergey Glandin, lawyer, partner of the law firm Nektorov, Saveliev & Partners, in his report "Legal ways to counter Western anti-Russian sanctions in Russia-friendly states" highlighted the issues of countering sanctions through international organizations, institutions and other multilateral formats. Besides, the expert explained the mechanisms for protecting the rights and interests of sanctioned persons within the national jurisdictions of the United States, Russia, the European Union, Mexico, Canada. He went on to outline the main recommendations for the development and improvement of the regulatory framework of the Russian Federation and the main ways to interact with friendly countries to reduce sanctions risks.
Olga Biryukova, Associate Professor of the School of World Economy of the Higher School of Economics, presented a report "Trade and political configurations in the context of geopolitical turbulence". The expert examined the trends of international trade in light of the frontal aggravation of the sanctions risks, international contradictions and heightened competition, among which she highlighted the fragmentation and regionalization of world trade, now based on political blocs rather than on economic principles. The speaker noted sharp trends towards protectionism in developed economies, which previously advocated the principles of the liberal world order in the economy. From her point of view, this suggests that the future harbors continued intensification of competition for sales markets, key resources, and access to technology. At the same time, the opportunities for cooperation will largely determine political motives.
Ksenia Kuzmina, RIAC Deputy Director of Programs, Yulia Sokolshchik, RIAC Program Coordinator, and Polina Chupriyanova, RIAC Program Referent, took part in the work of the section.
