Economic Sanctions as a Tool of Foreign Policy: The Case of Russia

Bc. Bader Bouhaddou

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Sanctions have become a key aspect of foreign policy, especially for democratic countries that want to uphold international principles without triggering military conflict. This research investigates whether economic sanctions are a good foreign policy tool, especially focusing on the Western sanctions against Russia from 2014 to 2024. It examines if these sanctions have accomplished their intended goals, such as changing Russia’s actions toward Ukraine and weakening its major capabilities. This review is important for determining if sanctions are effective, mainly against large and resilient states. The study uses a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative geopolitical analysis with quantitative economic data. It analyzes big economic market indicators like GDP, inflation, trading rates, and foreign direct investments and uses international theories about realism, liberalism, and constructivism to understand Russia’s policies. The study uses data from institutional databases, policy documents, and scholarly articles from 2014 to 2025 to analyze the sanctions. The findings reveal that sanctions have caused much economic damage, like slowing development and degrading technology, but they failed to accomplish their main political goals, like reversing territorial annexations. The results show that sanctions can degrade the economy but can only bring about political change if they are part of a larger strategy enforced over time.

Keywords

economic sanctions, Russia, EU, war in Ukraine

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 14. 8. 2025

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 3. 9. 2025
• Supervisor: Ing. Martina Krásnická, Ph.D.
• Reader: Ing. Lucie Kureková, Ph.D.

CEVRO University

Bachelor programme / field:
Economics, Business, Politics / Economics, Business, Politics