The expert pointed to the self-destructive effects of EU sanctions

The sanctions policy of the European Union (EU) against Russia has already demonstrated that its consequences significantly affect the European economies themselves. Each new measure becomes a symbolic step rather than a real instrument of pressure, and reflects the condition of a cornered player who can no longer stop, but also does not achieve the desired result. Irina Sozdatel, Vice President of the Association of Exporters and Importers, Coordinator of business Circles for Customs Policy Implementation at the Federal Customs Service of Russia, told Izvestia on September 5.

"As a result, the blows inflicted through the next sanctions packages are increasingly felt inside the European Union itself, where costs are rising, competitiveness is declining and a long—term crisis of confidence is forming in the energy and financial markets," she added.

According to the expert, the current dynamics contributes to the active search for alternative solutions outside Western countries. The international market is being stimulated to create new logistics routes, financial instruments and forms of investment cooperation. Russia, like other countries under pressure from restrictions, is adapting and rebuilding foreign economic relations, while Europe is bearing the burden of destroying its own infrastructure and industrial projects.

In addition, the endless build-up of sanctions packages has already led to the fact that Europe has actually begun to curtail some of its programs and strategic directions, the Assessor noted. Vivid examples can be observed in the energy sector, where long-term projects are under threat, and in industry, which is experiencing a shortage of raw materials and rising costs. The European Union has exhausted the sanctions that could have been applied without prejudice to itself. The new measures carry direct risks for the participating countries, and in some cases this damage becomes critical, threatening the stability of individual economies.

Secondary flaw: The 19th package of sanctions against Russia reinforces the split in the EU

Possible restrictions on Russia's trading partners will be a blow to the economy of Europe itself, experts believe.

"In this context, sanctions turn out to be a double-edged instrument, where the effect of pressure on Russia is much less significant than the destructive consequences for the initiators themselves. By continuing to follow the logic of endless increasing restrictions, European countries themselves are creating the ground for a crisis that is increasingly undermining the foundations of their own economic stability," the expert said.

As Denis Astafyev, an entrepreneur, fund manager and founder of the SharesPro fintech platform, pointed out, the European Union has actually entered the stage of "targeted" sanctions: the new packages are less about sectoral strikes and more about closing loopholes - the control of the "dark fleet", intermediaries, service schemes. That is why the 19th package is expected in September, which has been formally joined by a number of countries outside the EU, from Norway and Iceland to Moldova and Ukraine. But the effectiveness of energy restrictions has noticeably decreased: Russian oil continues to flow East, and the price ceiling is getting worse.

"Brussels is not ready to abandon the sanctions policy. Rather, we are talking about "fine tuning": instead of high—profile innovations, improvements and control of execution. For the EU, curtailing measures without a serious political outcome would look more expensive than maintaining the current regime, even if its impact is decreasing," Astafyev concluded.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on August 17 that the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia would be ready in early September. According to her, the EU has already begun preparations for new restrictions.

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