Recommendations to strengthen the implemantations of sanctions against Russia in the Czech Republic
Pavel Havlíček
/ Ed. 8. 10. 2024
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 triggered an unprecedented response from parts of the international community, which focused on both helping the Ukrainians and sanctioning the Putin’s regime. The Czech government did not stand idly by at this critical moment, but rather took a number of active steps to side with the victims of aggression.
The Czech Republic then strengthened its position as one of the most active supporters of Ukraine by leading the widely-respected ammunition initiative announced in February 2024. It is also worth mentioning the significant assistance provided to refugees from Ukraine.
Both the EU and the Czech Republic had already introduced restrictive measures against Russia in connection with its military aggression in Ukraine before February 2022. Since March 2014, the EU has imposed sanctions in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the deliberate destabilization of Ukraine. Through 14 sanctions packages, the EU has significantly expanded its sanctions list and has undertaken a wide range of measures to weaken Russia’s economic base, deprive it of critical technologies and markets, and severely limit its ability to continue waging war.
Sanctions against Russia are working, but they need constant improvement to stay ahead of Russian adaptation. Lukáš Kraus (Lobbio), Pavel Havlicek (AMO – Association for International Affairs), Emma Isabella Sage and Boris Kalisky (Prague Security Studies Institute) jointly prepared a set of recommendations for the current Czech government on how to make the Czech sanctions regime more effective, focusing on the tools and legislative proposals already available.
