Before countries go to war, they often try something else first: sanctions. Sanctions cut off money, trade, and global access.
The Big Story
After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the United States and many allied countries placed major sanctions on Russia’s banks, companies, and wealthy individuals.
The idea was to put economic pressure on Russia and make it harder to fund the war.
Recently, President Trump said he plans to lift or reduce some of those sanctions as part of talks to end the conflict and reopen trade.
The Two Spins
From the Left
- Lifting sanctions too soon could reduce pressure on Russia while the war in Ukraine is still ongoing.
- Economic sanctions are seen as one of the strongest non-military ways to hold governments accountable.
From the Right
- Sanctions can affect global markets, including energy supplies, and may push Russia to work more closely with countries like China.
- Removing or easing sanctions can be used as a bargaining tool during negotiations to help move peace talks forward.
What This Means for Us
Sanctions can push countries to find new trading partners. Most Americans won’t feel them directly, but they can show up in everyday prices.
When the U.S. and Europe reduced purchases of Russian energy, Russia began selling more oil to China and India, reshaping global trade routes.
How They Make Money
Russia
- Russia uses a large “shadow fleet” of oil tankers to keep exporting oil despite sanctions, mostly to buyers like China and India.
- Russia supplies a large share of the world’s fertilizer, which can affect global food prices when exports are disrupted.
Takeaway
Even with sanctions, Russia still exports about 7–8 million barrels of oil per day, keeping it a major player in global energy markets.
The Number That Stuck With Me
11
Russia stretches across 11 time zones and about 11% of Earth’s land, making it the largest country on Earth.