Sanctions have long been a favored tool of Western economic warfare, designed to coerce adversaries without resorting to direct military confrontation. Yet, the extensive sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine have failed to deliver the anticipated economic collapse. Instead of crippling the Kremlin’s war machine, these measures have exposed fundamental flaws in the West’s economic warfare strategy. Not only have they failed to bring Russia to its knees, but they have also triggered unintended consequences that have harmed Western economies while accelerating a global shift away from Western financial dominance.

One of the primary reasons for the failure of Western sanctions is the flawed assumption that economic pressure alone would be enough to force Russia into submission. Western policymakers believed that cutting Moscow off from global financial markets, restricting its access to key technologies, and limiting its ability to trade in dollars would create insurmountable economic distress. This, in turn, was expected to lead to either a policy reversal or even internal instability within Russia. However, this assumption underestimated both Russia’s economic resilience and the willingness of non-Western countries to continue business with Moscow despite the sanctions.

The sanctions have also suffered from serious loopholes, allowing Russia to continue vital trade activities. Instead of effectively isolating the Russian economy, they have encouraged the development of a vast network of intermediaries that help circumvent trade restrictions. Countries such as China, India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates have played a crucial role in facilitating Russia’s access to global markets. For........

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