On May 26, the “White Paper: The Future of European Leadership in Economic Containment of Aggression” was presented in Brussels. The document was prepared by Ukrainian NGOs within the framework of the National Sanctions Coalition, coordinated by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESC). It contains recommendations for the EU to strengthen sanctions pressure on Russia. The document was approved by the Expert Group on Sanctions Policy at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. It outlines key measures that would not only maintain the current level of economic pressure but also take it to a new level, leaving Russia with no chance to revive its military ambitions. Trap Aggressor, a media project of the StateWatch think tank, also contributed to the preparation of these recommendations.

The European Role in Containing the Aggressor

In summarizing the document, it’s worth noting that without the active participation of the EU, a multilateral economic response to Russian aggression would have been impossible. Since February 2022, Brussels has made titanic efforts to sever trade ties and turn sanctions into a real instrument of pressure.

Currently, as the authors of the recommendations point out, the 27 EU member states have sufficient leverage not only to contain Russia but also to force it to sit down at the negotiating table under conditions that do not violate international law. This includes the confiscation of Russian assets, blocking Kremlin revenues from the export of energy resources and metals, cutting off Russian financial flows, and depriving the defense industry of access to Western technology. The document also contains a clear demand: sanctions against the aggressor must remain in place until the primary goal is achieved — to stop the aggression and prevent its recurrence.

From Oil to Nuclear Technologies

Since 2014, the EU has imposed sanctions on 2,400 individuals and organizations — from propagandists and oligarchs to companies helping the Kremlin circumvent restrictions. Brussels has also halted the broadcasting of 27 Russian media outlets and banned the import of Russian coal, oil, steel, timber, gold, and diamonds. In some EU countries, the supply of Russian gas has already been completely cut off.

However, this is not enough. There are still sectors through which Russia continues to obtain resources for war. In particular, the “White Paper” focuses on strengthening export controls, combating “grey” import schemes, and expanding sanctions against individuals supporting aggression and hybrid attacks against the EU.

From Policy to Practice: Recommendations for the EU

The recommendations of the “White Paper” suggest the following strategy for Brussels:

• Reform the decision-making process on sanctions to make it less dependent on political circumstances; 
• Expand the extraterritorial reach of its economic restrictions to prevent circumvention of sanctions through third countries;
• Provide more powers and resources to central institutions responsible for enforcing the sanctions regime;
• Involve public initiatives, OSINT platforms, and think tanks in monitoring and advocacy;
• Increase the confiscation of Russian sovereign and private assets, which would help ensure more sustainable support for Ukraine in its struggle and ease the financial burden on EU taxpayers;
• Block Russian revenues from the sale of energy resources, metallurgical products, and nuclear technologies;
• Gradually turn the Russian military-industrial complex into a sector deprived of access to Western technologies, components, support, and expertise by blocking grey import schemes.
  

European restrictions imposed against Russia since 2014 should not be lifted until their core objectives are fully achieved, namely:

• Ensuring a just resolution of the war and obtaining resources necessary to compensate Ukraine for the damage caused;
• Upholding the global principle of the inviolability of borders and non-recognition of the illegal occupation of sovereign territories.
  

Previously, Trap Aggressor reported on how Russia is building resource autonomy for war.