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Shifting realities: The unintended consequences of sanctions against Russia on the Finnish economy

Author

Listed:
  • Dmitry Rudenko

    (HSE University, Sankt-Petersburg, Russian Federation)

Abstract

The paper assesses the economic costs borne by sanctioning countries through a unique natural experiment – the unprecedented escalation of sanctions against Russia in 2022. Finland is chosen as the subject of analysis due to its historically close trade and economic ties with Russia, making it particularly vulnerable to the secondary effects of sanctions policy. Employing the synthetic control method, we compare Finland's real GDP trajectory from 2022 to 2024 with a counterfactual scenario constructed from 23 non-sanctioning economies. Our findings reveal average GDP losses of 8%, demonstrating the substantial economic price of severing Finland's historically strong trade ties with Russia.

Suggested Citation

  • Dmitry Rudenko, 2026. "Shifting realities: The unintended consequences of sanctions against Russia on the Finnish economy," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 81, pages 7-25.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:apltrx:022379
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F01 - International Economics - - General - - - Global Outlook
    • F51 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Conflicts; Negotiations; Sanctions
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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