International support for Ukraine in the context of armed aggression. The role of sanctions in the modern world
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34169/2414-0651.2026.1(49).12-23Keywords:
sanctions, international security, Russia, Ukraine, European Union, China, economic pressure, circumvention of sanctions, shadow fleet, frozen assets, military-industrial complex, geo-economics, international law, strategic autonomy, sanctions coalitionAbstract
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the international community's sanctions policy towards the russian Federation in the period 2022–2025 in the context of full-scale aggression against Ukraine. It examines the evolution of the sanctions packages imposed by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other partners, their impact on the military and economic potential of the russian federation, as well as the challenges associated with circumventing sanctions through third countries. Particular attention is paid to Ukraine's sanctions policy, its integration into the global system of restrictions, and its role in ensuring national security.
The geo-economic interaction between the russian federation and the People's Republic of China is analyzed separately as a factor of asymmetric partnership and limited compensation for sanctions pressure. It is determined that sanctions have become not only an instrument of economic pressure, but also an element of global security, international justice, and geopolitical transformation. The article has practical significance for the formation of strategies to deter aggression, restore Ukraine, and strengthen sanctions control.
In 2022–2025, sanctions evolved from targeted measures to a comprehensive strategy covering finance, energy, technology, logistics, and the information space. Their application has become not only an instrument of economic pressure but also a means of demonstrating global solidarity, support for Ukraine, and protection of the international legal order.
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of international support for Ukraine in the war, examine the role of sanctions in the modern system of international relations, and assess their impact on russia's economy, global markets, and Ukraine's prospects
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