The US and Europe have designated unprecedented sanctions on Russia in response to the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The wide range of sanctions measures employed by the West have sought to weaken Russia’s ability to fund and equip its military, disconnect Kremlin-linked companies from global financial markets, and prevent high-ranking officials from operating in Western countries. Despite recent European Union sanctions, Russian energy exports to Europe and elsewhere bring in roughly $1 billion per day, funding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

While Moscow’s forces regroup for the next phase of the war, policymakers are discussing new sanctions options to weaken the Russian military in the medium term. The West has employed export controls, sanctioned Kremlin elites, cut off Russia’s access to $400 billion in foreign reserves, and sanctioned some Russian energy exports—what’s next?

How effective has the West’s sanctions response been and what can be done to strengthen current sanctions designations? How can the US work with its European allies to implement further energy sanctions on Russia?

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