This review discusses key publications by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) on the issue of economic sanctions for the period of 2017–19. Despite being a rather recent topic in Russia’s scientific and expert discourse, sanctions are not a new issue in global affairs. Employing economic statecraft as a means of advancing national interests and foreign policy priorities has been an inalienable part of countries’ policies for a long time. However, several key features, including the rising number of sanctions and secondary sanctions cases, as well as the further institutionalization of the imposition, monitoring and lifting of sanctions, distinguish the current stage of sanctions development from previous ones.

This review analyzes two key reports by the RIAC concerning issues related to sanctions by the U.S., the EU and their allies against the Russian Federation, the design and dynamics of sanctions policies, as well as short-term forecasts. The anthology of Russian expert views on sanctions dynamics is also discussed.