Russia's Economy under Sanctions: Early Impact and Long-Term Outlook

Abstract

Four months after a coalition of Western states imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia, the Russian economy seems to be holding up better than expected. The Central Bank has managed to stabilize the country's financial system and Russian officials are trying to project optimism about the future. However, this optimism is likely to be short-lived. The sanctions' effects are only just beginning to unfold: supply-chain problems are intensifying and demand is falling quickly. In the longer run, Russia's economy will become more primitive as it partially decouples from international trade. To avoid social tensions, the government will intervene to support Russian businesses, leading to more protectionism and a larger state footprint in the economy.