Russia Watch – Sanctions - Known Unknowns

This publication was written together with Barry Jongkees, Senior Intelligence Specialist, SIM In 2016-2017, Russia got used to the ‘new normal’ of the sanctions; 2018 added a new and different layer as new sanctions were less tethered to specific policy objectives. We expect further sanctions by the US going forward and no relief of the current sanctions. This ‘known unknown’ of new sanctions has increased uncertainty. We do not expect further sanctions to derail the Russian economy. Over the past years, the Russian government has geared its economic policy towards making Russia more shock-resistant… However, this policy came at the expense of lower economic growth.