The impact of the european union's economic sanctions against Russia on Russian foreign policy: 2014-2022

In the past decade, Russian foreign policy has undergone various changes due to the impact of economic sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States in response to the events in Ukraine. Sanctions affecting economic and political spheres have gradually made their presence felt on the international stage, generating debatable impacts on Russia's economic, political, and diplomatic strategies outside the Western world. From this standpoint, examining the effects of sanctions on Russia's foreign policy outlets will also provide an opportunity to understand its practices in different administrative domains. Indeed, the economic sanctions imposed by the European Union initially manifested their repercussions, particularly in sectors such as energy, services, and agriculture, which are vital for Russian foreign trade revenue. Mutual sanction attempts have significantly influenced Russian foreign policy and interaction strategies with the global community, prompting the introduction of new conceptual practices. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the escalation of separatist violence in Eastern Ukraine directed the focus of the international community towards the United Nations. However, the UN, where Russia holds veto power in the General Assembly and possesses nuclear weapons, was unable to undertake any military intervention. These extraordinary developments unfolding in Eastern Europe and the northern Black Sea region exposed security vulnerabilities within the European Union's borders. Unable to engage in physical intervention, Brussels sought to leverage economic sanctions, in collaboration with Washington, partly to maintain its prestige in the global arena. This research examines the impact of sanctions on Russian foreign policy from economic, political, and diplomatic perspectives. Consequently, the main trends and future perspectives of Russia's foreign policy have been critically scrutinized.