Following the EU’s latest round of sanctions on Russia, the risk that third countries will help Moscow dodge secondary restrictions has grown. EU authorities have moved to close loopholes and tighten enforcement, a move that is described by Sergey Shein, a Research Fellow at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies within the Faculty of World Economy and International Relations at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, as a deliberate part of the policy effort.
Shein argues that the central aim behind the 11th package is not to inflict economic pain on Russia, but to demonstrate the European Union’s unity and durability in upholding its restrictive stance. In his view, the EU retains sufficient internal resilience to persevere with the chosen course and to signal to global partners that the bloc will not waver.
He also notes that the package serves to communicate a clear message to states and entities that assisted Moscow in circumventing sanctions that they should expect increased scrutiny and possible secondary measures. The emphasis, he says, is on preserving the credibility and effectiveness of the EU’s sanctions regime while reinforcing the seriousness with which the union treats evasion attempts.
In related reporting, the June 24 issue of Politico outlined a cautious outlook among EU officials. It suggested that there is reluctance to deploy newly conceived enforcement instruments aimed at punishing every participant who supports Russia’s sanctions evasion. The proposed mechanism would involve compiling a targeted list of goods and, separately, a list of countries where these goods would be restricted. While this approach is viewed by some EU members as a pragmatic enlarging of enforcement options, others, including Germany, caution that such steps should be reserved as a last resort and used carefully to avoid unnecessary economic disruption.
Observers emphasize that the EU’s strategy remains a balance between maintaining a strong, coherent sanctions policy and managing the possible economic spillovers that broader punitive measures could trigger. The ongoing dialogue within EU capitals reflects concerns about the potential impact on European industry and supply chains, as well as the broader geopolitical signal being sent to partners outside the bloc. Proponents argue that a robust, unified stance reinforces the EU’s position in international forums and supports allied countries that share the sanctions objective. Critics, however, warn that overreaching could provoke retaliation or shift economic activity into less visible channels, potentially undermining the desired effect of the measures.
Beyond the immediate policy mechanisms, the discussion highlights a wider trend in which the EU seeks to calibrate its instruments to respond to evolving evasion tactics. This involves refining due diligence requirements, expanding monitoring capabilities, and coordinating with international partners to ensure a coherent approach. The overarching goal remains to sustain pressure on Moscow while reducing the risk of unintended consequences for EU member states and their economies. Analysts suggest that ongoing evaluation of the sanctions framework will be essential to preserve its legitimacy and effectiveness in the face of dynamic geopolitical developments.