The policy paper examines the effectiveness of sanctions policy as one of the key and most cost-efficient tools through which the Czech Republic can contribute to countering Russia’s aggression and strengthening European and national security.
Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Czechia has actively supported EU sanctions, adopted its own Magnitsky Act, and ended imports of Russian energy sources. Nevertheless, enforcement capacity continues to lag behind legislative progress, with a shortage of trained experts across ministries, customs, and the judiciary. Delays in transposing the EU confiscation directive and limited judicial capacity further expose systemic gaps.
A particular challenge lies in the handling of frozen Russian assets, where Estonia’s confiscation framework could serve as an inspiration. The paper also highlights the need to strengthen export controls, improve data transparency, and enhance cooperation with the private sector, as well as to deepen coordination with the EU, the United Kingdom, and other partners in closing sanctions loopholes—especially in the energy sector, where the EU has pledged to end its dependence on Russian oil and gas by 2027.
Find the policy paper here