Economists for Ukraine

Publications

Moscow’s Gas Freeze Shows EU-Russian Trade Is Doomed

Since Feb. 21, unprecedented sanctions have not only targeted important sectors of the Russian economy but also frozen Russian central bank reserves. The idea was to impose severe economic pain on Russia and indirectly affect its ability to sustain a prolonged war. But today, the situation has reversed, and Russia is self-sanctioning by restricting its gas supplies to the EU. Instead of reaping the revenue from the gas sale over the long term, Russia is choosing to cut the gas flow.
By Oleg Korenok and Swapnil Singh

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Russian Sanctions Are Working but Slowly

With the Russian ruble now trading at 55 rubles per dollar, well above where it was prior to the invasion, and Russia’s economic output not having collapsed, the initial optimism about the effectiveness of the unprecedented sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies has started to fade. Does that mean the sanctions regime has been a failure? We do not believe so.
By Oleg Korenok, Swapnil Singh, and Stan Veuger

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How to Organize Reconstruction Aid for Post-War Ukraine

Before significant funds are committed to Ukraine’s reconstruction, it is important to determine who will control and direct the money and how the recovery will be structured. Internal and external transparency will be crucial, as well as planning for a project that could take years.
By Yuriy Gorodonichenko, Anastassia Fedyk, and Ilona Sologoub

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What is Driving Western Firms to Leave Russia?

A growing number of U.S. and European firms have chosen to voluntarily cease or suspend their operations in Russia. Are these firms’ managers deciding to divest to help Ukraine and punish Russia? Or are they divesting to help their own firms, under pressure from investors? Our results suggest the latter.
By Anastassia Fedyk & Tetyana Balyuk

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Strengthening Financial Sanctions against the Russian Federation

In this paper, we propose further financial sanctions to increase the cost to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, based on further targeting two key vulnerabilities. The first targets Russia’s reliance on the U.S. Dollar and Western currencies as a reserve currency to back the Ruble. The second vulnerability is the Russian economy’s dependence on the Western financial system for a range of services.
By The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions

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Why More Weapons Will Help Ukraine and Russia Negotiate A Lasting Truce

In any negotiation, strong positioning is the most important factor. Assistance from Ukraine’s allies would give Ukraine, the victim, more bargaining power to reach an outcome that might be acceptable. Those who focus on Ukraine making territorial concessions or blame the United States for expanding the war only weaken Ukraine’s bargaining position.
By Anastassia Fedyk

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