Do they work – or do they not work? This is a question that is often discussed when it comes to sanctions. For the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, one thing is certain: the sanctions against Russia are effective and Moscow is deprived of development prospects in the medium term.
According to the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, the Western sanctions against Russia are working. An economic decline of four percent this year does not sound like too much, said the committee’s managing director, Michael Harms, on ARD. But there will also be a decline next year. “Russia has already been hit hard,” Harms continued.
The country’s dependence on technology is the “sharpest sword” one has. It deprives Moscow of any development prospects in the medium term. The majority of German businesses therefore continue to support the sanctions. Even if these “also had a major impact” on the German economy, said Harms.
One could talk about the details of the measures, for example the effect on the energy market could “perhaps have been better calculated”. Russia is now selling a little less gas and oil, but taking in more. “But you’re always wiser afterwards.” The price is very high for Moscow.
The main tasks of the Eastern Committee include establishing and maintaining economic relations with Eastern Europe. Harms does not see a return to normal economic relations with Russia in the foreseeable future. A basic condition for this would be a fair and sustainable peace agreement in Ukraine.
