EU Sanctions on Russia: Trading Under Pressure
– National Security, International Trade, and Questions of Effectiveness
An Inquiry into the Role of Restrictive Measures in Shaping Strategic Security, Political Stability,
Trade Relations, and Global Investment Flows
Warsaw School of Economics
December 2, 2025, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
stationary: Aula II, building G
and on MS Teams I cordially invite you,
Lukasz Dawid Dabrowski
The discussion will feature:
Borja Guijarro Usobiaga - Political administrator, Directorate General for External Relations (RELEX), Global and Horizontal Affairs – Sanctions, Council of the European Union
Prof. Domenico Pauciulo - Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
Jarosław Żółtowski - Head of the General Inspector of Financial Information, Poland
Anna Pajewska - Head of Division of the General Inspector of Financial Information, Poland
Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my great pleasure to invite you to the seminar devoted to the issue of sanctions (restrictive measures) adopted by the EU against Russia in response to the armed aggression against Ukraine, and their implications on national security, but also on trade and investments.
The meeting will take place in person at the Warsaw School of Economics
December 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM,
Building G, Auditorium II, Al. Niepodległości 162,
and online via MS Teams.
Since 2014, the European Union has imposed an evolving package of sanctions in response to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. These measures—expanded significantly after the full-scale invasion of 2022—target key sectors of trade, finance, and investment, aiming to curb Russia’s ability to sustain the war. Nearly a decade later, however, important questions remain.
These issues and interdependencies are particularly important from Poland’s perspective, given its proximity to the theater of war in Ukraine and the ongoing hybrid attacks by Russia—ranging from fake news to “drone attacks” on Polish territory.
This seminar will explore the following themes:
Block 1: Legal, Institutional and Political Dimensions
What are the legal bases of EU sanctions under EU and international law, and are they consistent with WTO rules?
Do sanctions serve mainly as symbolic expressions of political resolve, or do they generate tangible strategic effects – to what extent have EU sanctions achieved their intended political goals since 2014?
How should effectiveness be assessed: by weakening Russia’s economy, constraining its war effort, or influencing its political decision-making?
How USA and geopolitical situation influence effectiveness of EU sanctions?
Block 2: Adaptation, Circumvention, and Economic Consequences
Which sectors of international trade have been most affected by EU measures against Russia?
How have sanctions reshaped foreign investment flows between the EU, Russia, and third countries (e.g., China, Turkey, Gulf states) and how do EU sanctions impact third countries and multinational corporations?
How has Russia adapted to sanctions through import substitution, alternative markets, or “shadow” trade networks – what role do non-EU states play in circumvention, and how effective are enforcement mechanisms in addressing it?
Do sanctions strengthen or weaken the EU’s position within global trade networks – what unintended consequences have EU sanctions had for global supply chains, energy security, and international finance?
Bringing together leading experts in international law, economics, and policy-making, the seminar will provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective on one of the most pressing trade and security challenges of our time.
I warmly invite policymakers, academics, legal practitioners, business leaders, and students to join us for this important discussion.
Łukasz Dawid Dąbrowski
Assistant Professor, Institute of World Economy
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Attorny-at-law
Biogram SGH -Link
ORCID:Link
Are you looking for a thesis topic that not only meets academic requirements but also engages with real-world issues?
The scope of the proposed topics covers issues of significance from the perspective of contemporary economic, legal, and social processes, examined in both national and international contexts.
🌍 International Trade and International Trade Law
Analysis of the mechanisms shaping the global exchange of goods and services, as well as the legal frameworks underpinning the functioning of contemporary international markets.
💼 Foreign Trade and Foreign Trade Law
Examination of economic relations between states, with particular focus on trade exchange, customs barriers, and legal regulations affecting the movement of goods and services.
🤝 Foreign Investments and International Investment Agreements
Analysis of investment protection systems, the scope of state obligations and investor rights, as well as dispute resolution mechanisms through international arbitration.
👷 Employment in National and International Contexts
Comparative study of labour law regulations across various jurisdictions, encompassing both domestic norms and standards derived from international legal instruments.
🔐 Digitalization - Cybersecurity
Legal and organisational aspects of digitisation, cybersecurity, data protection and international cooperation in the field of information and communication security.
📈 Regulated Markets – Mechanisms and Challenges
Characteristics of markets subject to special legal regimes, including electronic communications, energy, transport, and other strategic sectors.
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Conducting a thesis in one of the proposed areas allows for:
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Szukasz tematu pracy dyplomowej, który nie tylko spełnia wymagania akademickie, ale także dotyczy rzeczywistych problemów?
Zakres proponowanych tematów obejmuje zagadnienia istotne z perspektywy współczesnych procesów gospodarczych, prawnych i społecznych, analizowanych w ujęciu krajowym oraz międzynarodowym.
🌍 Handel międzynarodowy i prawo handlu międzynarodowego
Analiza mechanizmów kształtujących globalny obrót towarami i usługami oraz regulacji prawnych stanowiących podstawę funkcjonowania współczesnych rynków międzynarodowych.
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Badanie relacji gospodarczych między państwami, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wymiany handlowej, barier celnych oraz regulacji prawnych wpływających na przepływ towarów i usług.
🤝 Inwestycje zagraniczne i międzynarodowe umowy inwestycyjne
Analiza systemów ochrony inwestycji, zakresu zobowiązań państw oraz praw inwestorów, a także mechanizmów rozstrzygania sporów w drodze arbitrażu międzynarodowego.
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Porównawcze ujęcie regulacji prawa pracy w różnych jurysdykcjach, obejmujące zarówno normy krajowe, jak i standardy wynikające z aktów prawa międzynarodowego.
🔐 Cyfryzacja - cyberbezpieczeństwo
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📈 Rynki regulowane – mechanizmy i wyzwania
Charakterystyka funkcjonowania rynków podlegających szczególnym reżimom prawnym, rynku komunikacji elektronicznej, energii lub transportu, i innych sektorów strategicznych.
💡 Znaczenie podjęcia wskazanej problematyki
Realizacja pracy dyplomowej w wybranym obszarze umożliwia:
pogłębienie wiedzy specjalistycznej w zakresie analizowanych zagadnień,
rozwinięcie umiejętności identyfikacji oraz interpretacji złożonych problemów prawnych i gospodarczych,
odniesienie treści badawczych do realnych procesów kształtujących współczesne życie gospodarcze, polityczne i społeczne.