How News Sources Portray Russia Sanctions Policies
This chart shows how major news sources across the ideological spectrum frame russia sanctions policies, from left to right-leaning perspectives.
Sanctions are political or economic restrictions enacted by one organization or country against another. Beginning in 2014 and continuing through today, the United States and other nations have enacted sanctions against Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in at least 1 million casualties as of September 2024.
In early 2014, President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion and annexation of Crimea, a region of Ukraine. In response to these moves, the United States, European Union, and numerous other nations introduced the toughest foreign policy sanctions against Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Prominent Russian individuals who organized the invasion were subject to travel bans and saw their assets frozen. Eventually, the scope of sanctions expanded to include Russian energy companies and banks as well. These moves strongly affected international free trade.
These sanctions, meant to punish Russia’s aggression and prevent future conflicts, failed to deter the country. On February 24, 2022, after a build-up of troops and military equipment along the Russian-Ukraine border for several months, President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” marking Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A war, initially expected to be short-lived and victorious for Russia, has since devolved into a multi-year conflict as nations around the world supply assistance to both sides.
Following the invasion, sanctions expanded significantly in scope. Both South Korea and Taiwan, nations previously reluctant to enact sanctions, did so. Singapore became the first Southeast Asia nation to engage as well, an almost unprecedented act. Russia became the most sanctioned nation in the world by more than 30 countries making up more than 50% of the global economy.
The renewed sanctions following the war also dramatically increased in severity. Wide-ranging sanctions targeted banks, businesses, exports, and imports. The effects of these sanctions hurt Russia significantly. Russia’s currency, the ruble, as well as their oil and gas revenue collapsed in the months that followed.
Many European Union nations were initially skeptical about levying sanctions against Russia at the beginning, though their position later shifted. Across Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, however, few nations have imposed sanctions against Russia. The reluctance to do so appears tied to fears of retaliation, a commitment to neutrality, or complex relations with Russia throughout history.
The Democratic Response
The Democratic Party has a strong policy stance on Russian sanctions. In an October 2025 Harvard/Harris X poll, 77% of Americans strongly backed international involvement and were in favor of additional sanctions against Russia, including 71% of Democratic voters. In an April 2025 Pew Research Center poll, 85% of Americans viewed Russia unfavorably, including 89% of Democrats. In addition, large majorities of Democrats continue to view Russia as an enemy of the United States rather than a competitor or partner.
In 2014, President Barack Obama led the initial charge of sanctions against Russia following the annexation of Crimea. According to then-Vice President Joe Biden, the United States was forced to strongly advocate against European skepticism of sanctions. Many European countries were concerned about the economic cost of joining in the effort at the time.
Joe Biden later assumed the presidency and presided over the Russia invasion of Ukraine. Even during the initial annexation of Crimea, Biden long favored a tougher approach to Russia compared to Obama for fears that they would expand the conflict deeper into Ukraine and eventually Europe. Similarly, the Biden administration was forced to confront European skepticism when fears of the conflict first became realized, and they led the charge for post-invasion sanctions.
The Republican Response
The Republican Party also strongly favors Russian sanctions. In an October 2025 Harvard/Harris X poll, support for additional sanctions is almost universal among Republican voters, at 86%. In an April 2025 Pew Research Center poll, 83% of Republican voters viewed Russia unfavorably. However, relative to Democrats, Republicans are more likely to view Russia as a competitor rather than an enemy. A majority only viewed Russia an enemy during 2022, 2023, and 2024, not in 2025 or prior to the invasion. Source: Pew Research
From 2017 to 2019, President Donald Trump’s administration enacted sanctions against Russia for its involvement in Ukraine and Syria, its interference in the 2016 United States election, and its poisoning of a Russian double agent. Since his return to office in 2025, President Trump has not revoked any pre-existing sanctions on Russia, but he has not joined other European countries in enacting new sanctions either.
In the first few months of his second term, President Trump and members of his administration sought to enact a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia. However, progress toward the end of the war has been limited. As a result, he has signaled a willingness to enact new sanctions soon.
