anti-Russian Sanctions Research Articles

Italy: parliamentary elections-2022 and prospects for relations with Russia

The governmental crisis that broke out in Italy in the summer of 2022 led to the resignation of the government of M. Draghi and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament. The article examines the results of Italy's early parliamentary elections held on September 25, 2022 (including a comparison with the results of the 2018 elections) and analyzes the positions of the leading political parties represented in the Italian parliament from 2018 to 2022. The author summarizes the results of the government with M. Draghi, identifying the reasons for the preservation of the rating of this government and its impact on the course of the election campaign. In reviewing the course and results of the election campaign the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the government's actions to overcome its consequences are analyzed, the activities of the main opposition parties in Italy are assessed. Considering the current situation, the author offers a comprehensive overview of the positions of the leading political parties and their coalitions, which passed on the results of the early parliamentary elections. The newly formed government supported the stance of the collective West on Russia, despite internal disagreements on this issue and direct recognition of the painful nature of anti-Russian sanctions for the Italian economy itself. There is no reason to count on a "privileged partnership" between Russia and Italy in the near future, but, according to the author, there are reasons to expect ties to be restored soon after the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict.

Digitalization processes in production, public administration, and the social sphere in Russia

The article presents materials that reveal the urgent need of modernity, namely: the modernization of the Russian economy, the system of public administration and the social sphere with the help of digitalization, substantiates and shows the possibilities of introducing innovations in all spheres of life of the Russian Federation. The authors use the results of domestic and foreign (Ernst & Young, KMDA, etc.) sociological research (expert surveys in the form of interviews, included observation, content analysis of scientific publications and information presented in the media). The methodology of the study is a system analysis that allows a comprehensive and in-depth study of the stated problem. A comparative analysis of the course of the digitalization process in our country and abroad allows us to compare the achievements of Russian and foreign specialists, to identify the most common problems and risks associated with innovation. Also, the authors, using the Sorbonne method of in-depth study and analysis of scientific and informational texts, carry out painstaking work to create a dynamic picture of digitalization of all sectors of Russian society and identify promising areas and opportunities for fruitful cooperation between Russia and foreign countries that have achieved the greatest results in this area. The need to intensify modernization processes in our country is connected with the aggravation of the external situation and the introduction of new packages of tough anti-Russian sanctions by the United States and the European Union after the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The collective West seeks to contribute to the isolation of our country, inflict the strongest damage to the Russian Federation and counteract the use of new foreign high technologies and imported equipment.

Energy Security of the European Union in the Context of Russian Aggression against Ukraine

Over the past decades, Russia has used the supply, ownership and control of energy resources as an instrument of its foreign policy to strengthen its political influence not only in the post-Soviet space, but also in the EU member states. During the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine, Moscow used energy policy as an energy weapon (demanding to pay for gas in rubles; stopping gas supplies to certain EU member states, including Poland, Bulgaria, and Finland; reducing the volume of supplies through the Nord Stream pipeline; ignoring the capacities of the Ukrainian GTS; provoking an increase in gas prices), which resulted in an acute energy crisis in the European Union. This prompted the EU and national governments of its member states to make significant adjustments to their energy policies in order to overcome the crisis and prevent gas blackmail by European states as a manipulation to circumvent anti-Russian sanctions and political pressure to withdraw support for Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to study the problems of ensuring the energy security of the European Union and its member states in the context of the energy crisis caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The article is aimed at studying the impact of Russian aggression on the EU's energy security, assessing the state of the Energy Union in 2022, and analyzing short-term and long-term strategies in the development of relevant supranational and national energy policies, mainly from a European perspective. Modern European national and supranational energy and climate strategies envisage postponing the phase-out of coal, oil, gas and nuclear power, while accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and a mandatory commitment to increase energy storage. The European Union and its member states are overcoming the consequences of the energy crisis by developing and implementing national strategies, the REPowerEU plan, as well as a number of other measures to reduce energy prices and ensure security of supply. The REPowerEU plan is fully in line with the European Green Deal and includes measures to save energy, diversify and ensure security of supply, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources and a reasonable mix of investment and reform. The modernization of the EU's energy policy is aligned with the EU's long-term climate goals. The EU also supports new partnerships with neighboring countries, including Ukraine, to accelerate the global transition to green and fair energy.

Sanctions economy: the strength of the “weak ties” of russian management

The purpose of the article is to identify the risks of geo-economic fragmentation and deglobalization of integration during the period of the sanctions economy, their manifestation at the level of national economic entities, determination of overcoming factors. The subject of the study is the processes of adaptation of Russian business to the conditions of the global crisis of the pandemic period and anti-Russian sanctions, measures of state regulation of import substitution measures and reduction of supply chain gaps and partnerships. The main risks of globalization and integration of a socio-cultural nature are identified: distrust of government institutions, cross-cultural and ethno-humanitarian gaps, economic pessimism. One of the factors of containment of deglobalization gaps has been identified, which consists in the “weak ties” of existing partnerships, their relational capital. Examples of sustainable partnerships in business, science and education led to the conclusion that it is necessary to shift the emphasis in the training of managerial personnel to meritocratic principles of corporate theory, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders of companies and public sector organizations.

Corporate reporting: A balance between sanction threats and corporate PR

Subject. This article discusses the change in approaches to the preparation of corporate reporting in the context of sanctions. Objectives. The article aims to analyze changes in the information policy of Russian corporations. Methods. For the study, we used a comparative analysis. Results. Based on the analysis of the results of the anti-Russian sanctions, the article finds that they are forcing corporations to maintain a balance between the concealment of private information about shareholders and top managers and the need to conduct an information policy aimed at attracting investors. Conclusions. Currently, the main efforts of the Russian corporate sector pursue the objective to protect shareholders and members of governance bodies from sanctions threats.

National Technology Initiative and modern economic shocks

One of the important macro programs for the development of modern Russia is the National Technology Initiative. It brings together many different projects aimed at accelerating innovative development, building the potential of Russia’s technological leadership in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. Changes in the macroeconomic situation due to anti-Russian sanctions require clarification of the mechanisms for implementing the National Technology Initiative. This determines the relevance of the article. The purpose of the study is to consider the essence and direction of these changes. It is shown that in the current economic and political situation, the most promising are projects aimed at forming an independent technological basis for Russia’s development, ensuring the country’s technological sovereignty. This requires a revision of the previously established limits for budget financing of projects of the National Technology Initiative, both in terms of volume and timing of its allocation. There is also a need for the next round of prioritization, which will make the forecast and planned characteristics of the National Technology Initiative more appropriate to the current situation.

К вопросу о формировании университетского хаба в концепции открытых инноваций

Introduction. A feature of Russian innovative economy development is the need to solve many problems in a limited time frame, which include the accelerated development of domestic production and the market through the introduction of innovative solutions in the context of minimizing external economic threats associated with anti-Russian sanctions from unfriendly countries. The models of innovative activity are considered and their key subjects are identified. It has been revealed that one of the effective mechanisms for achieving the set goals is to accelerate the pace of introduction of intellectual property objects into industry through the transfer of scientific research results to production. Theoretical analysis. The article discusses the place and role of universities in strengthening the innovative potential in the field of intellectual property. The analysis of existing state measures aimed at stimulating the development of innovative potential of universities was carried out. Such mechanisms of interuniversity interaction as the concept of open innovations and network university are considered. Еmpirical analysis. The indicators characterizing the patent activity of the subjects of innovation activity are determined, and the analysis of the dynamics of such indicators as the number of applications and granted patents, self-sufficiency and technological dependence on foreign sources is carried out. It is concluded that at present these indicators are characterized by recession. The results obtained require the adoption of new decisions and the activation of university science as the main subject of the “growth point” of innovative ideas and solutions. Results. The result of the study is a proposal to form a university hub based on a platform for intensifying patent activity not only in the context of university innovation, but also to attract various economic actors involved in the process of both import substitution and strengthening the country’s industrial sovereignty. An analysis was made of the ways of commercialization of intellectual property objects and the planned benefits for subjects-consumers of the university hub services. The advantages of creating a university hub are highlighted, contributing to the development of the innovation sphere and strengthening inter-university relations.

Analysis of marketing activities of an enterprise and ways to improve them on the example of the Logfort transport company

The article analyzes marketing activities of an enterprise on the example of the Logfort transport company and proposes ways to improve such activities. The relevance of the topic is high, since amidst anti-Russian sanctions and due to the challenges of the post-COVID period, various industries of the Russian economy, such as the transport industry, have been placed in an especially unfavorable economic situation. With regard to companies that do not pay proper attention to marketing today, it has been found that the bankruptcy risk gradually and steadily increases. In this respect, the author stresses the importance of improving marketing activities and uses the example of a particular company to identify the problems that organizations run the risk of facing when carrying out marketing activities. A conclusion suggesting the need to eliminate the identified problems is made, and ways to solve them are proposed. The findings of the study can be applied to improve marketing activities of any company as well as operations in general.

Визуальная метафора в сатирических поликодовых текстах интернет-коммуникации: на примере карикатур и демотиваторов об антироссийских санкциях

The aim of the study is to describe visual metaphors as means of establishing an evaluative and satirical attitude of an addressee to the phenomena of global policy. The article represents the visual metaphor conception, pays special attention to metaphors in political caricatures and demotivators, which allow openly and quite accurately expressing public, often critical opinion. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the functional and pragmatic description of metaphorical models used in political cartoons and demotivators. This article considers a visual metaphor as a means to highlight more vividly the events taking place both in the country and in the world. The results obtained showed that through visual metaphors, a critical attitude to ongoing events is represented, aimed at forming public consciousness in relation to the sanctions policy and its participants. The paper emphasizes some metaphorical representations of anti-Russian sanctions, which are compared with a boomerang, a bomb, etc. The article focuses on the analysis of the most productive metaphorical model “anti-Russian sanctions are a boomerang”.

Assessment of economic cooperation between the Far Eastern regions of Russia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region

The article presents an assessment of the state of trade, economic and investment cooperation between the Far Eastern regions of Russia and the key countries of the Asia-Pacific region: China, South Korea and Japan. The authors studied the contribution of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region to commodity exports and commodity imports of Russian regions included in the Far Eastern Federal District, which made it possible to identify the predominance of energy resources and seafood in the export of this region. The most dependent on supplies to China are the Amur Region, the Jewish Autonomous Region, the Baikal Territory, on supplies to Japan — the Kamchatka Territory, on supplies to South Korea — the Sakhalin Region. The countries of the Asia-Pacific region supply cars, machinery and equipment, various consumer goods with high added value to the Far East. After the start of the military conflict in Ukraine, Japan joined the anti-Russian sanctions, South Korea remains neutral, and China uses the opportunities that have arisen to deepen economic cooperation with the Far Eastern regions and Russia as a whole. At the beginning of 2022, $113 billion of foreign investment was accumulated in the Far Eastern Federal District, incl. $84 billion — in the Sakhalin region, where large oil and gas projects are being implemented, but offshore territories are the main investors, which does not allow us to reliably assess the contribution of China and other countries of the Asia-Pacific region to the investment activities of the Far Eastern regions. At the same time, according to the Chinese side, by the end of 2022, Chinese investments in the Far Eastern Federal District exceeded $13 billion, there are significant opportunities for further development of bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the Far Eastern regions and the People's Republic of China.

РАЗВИТИЕ СТОМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ОТРАСЛИ В ТРАНСФОРМАЦИОННЫХ РЕАЛИЯХ ГЕОПОЛИТИЧЕСКОЙ ОБСТАНОВКИ

Dentistry is a multicomponent intersectoral link of medicine that connects various suppliers into one single point. Dentistry was not directly affected by anti-Russian sanctions, but indirectly geopolitical changes affected the entire dental services market. The greatest impact on the dental industry in Russia was the creation of restrictions or a ban on the supply of materials and high-tech equipment. The country's healthcare needs against the background of transformational realities have actualized the issue of analyzing the market situation and strategic planning of organizational activities in the field of medicine in general and in the dental industry in particular. A dynamic analysis of the situation on the market of dental services in the Nizhny Novgorod region under the conditions of the sanctions policy of the West by positions: pricing policy of clinics in different periods, features of providing clinical dental admission in all specialties, availability of dental materials. Against the background of the creation of anti-Russian sanctions, there was an increase in the level of consolidation of dental business participants, flexibility in the market policy of clinic managers, as well as the formation of a motivational basis for the participation of medical organizations of various forms of ownership in the scientific agenda of the region in the context of the development of new materials and equipment. It was noted that special attention should now be paid to solving existing economic problems, building a strategy of interaction with friendly countries, searching for optimal points of economic interaction while taking into account possible risks. Participants in the dental business in constantly changing market conditions need to prioritize the development of resource and personnel, information and innovation and technology sectors of the intra-industry market.

ECONOMIC CYCLES: CONTENT OF BASIC CONCEPTS AND IMPACT ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY OF REGIONS AND INDUSTRIES OF RUSSIA

The article is devoted to the analysis of the theory and practice of the cyclical development of the economy. Revealed the relevance of studying the cyclical development of socio-economic systems; the content of key concepts used in the modern interpretation of the economic cycle (essence, content, manifestation and form of the economic cycle); classification of theories of cyclical development of the economy. The characteristics of the main types of non-cyclical fluctuations in the economy are given: seasonal fluctuations, reflecting the influence of seasonal and climatic conditions; structural fluctuations associated with changes in demand for certain types of products; transitional fluctuations due to a change in the mechanism of the functioning of the economy. The distinctive features of the economic cycles of the second half of the twentieth century, due to the third industrial revolution, the growing influence of transnational corporations and the transition to a post-industrial society, are analyzed. The main directions of modification of economic cycles in the second half of the 20th century are presented. The beginning of the XXI century. The modern features of the cyclical development of the Russian economy, related, among other things, to the influence of anti-Russian sanctions and the use of other non-market instruments in the global economy, are analyzed. The conclusion is made about the growing influence of uncertainty on the adoption of strategic decisions in modern conditions and the increasing importance of ensuring import independence for the industrial development of the economy of regions and industries in Russia.

Russia’s foreign economic relations with major Latin American partners in the context of anti-Russian sanctions

The article examines key vectors of the development of Russia’s foreign economic relations with its largest trading partners in Latin America in the context of anti-Russian sanctions. The author analyzes peculiarities of Russia’s foreign trade and investment cooperation with Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico and Chile. Factors hindering the development of this cooperation are economic instability in the world, anti-Russian sanctions, weak development of logistics networks, lack of free trade agreements, the presence of high custom duties on Russian products in the Latin American market, high competition on part of the United States and China, insufficient interest of Russian business in economic cooperation with the countries of the region over the past decades. It is shown that the largest increase in Russia’s trade turnover with the countries under consideration was recorded with Mexico, an increase in Russian exports was observed in Argentina, and imports - from Mexico. Chile demonstrated the worst indicators in the sphere of foreign trade relations among the countries under consideration. It is concluded that Russia’s largest Latin American partners have serious prospects for expanding their presence on the Russian market in the face of anti-Russian sanctions. Two key factors can be considered favorable for further development of Russia - Latin America trade cooperation. The first one is the orientation of the foreign policy of many countries in the region to other economic partners in order to minimize dependence on the United States. The second one is that Russia is shifting its vectors of economic cooperation from unfriendly countries to other countries, including Latin American states. It is concluded that investment cooperation between the countries has certain prospects for development, especially in the field of oil and gas exploration, energy and railway construction.

Factors affecting the change in the value of currencies (including anti-Russian sanctions on products of chemical, biological, veterinary origin)

Factors affecting the change in the value of currencies (including anti-Russian sanctions on products of chemical, biological, veterinary origin)

Anti-russian sanctions impact: aftermath of a reduction in foreign trade and production growth in the Russian Federation

There are technological, economic, transport links in the production, storage and delivery of goods in the contemporary economy. Therefore, the appearance of a new or an increase in the volume of production of an existing product requires changes in the production of other products, linked with this one through the technological chains. Statistical data and models of input-output balance allow us to trace such chains of connections and calculate the volumes production of different goods. This paper contains the results of a study of intersectoral chains of influence of bans and restrictions imposed on Russian exports. The study shows the reduction in the export of some goods has a negative effect on the output of a number of other goods. The decrease in imports has a similar effect. The author also shows calculations’ results of the growth impact on the output of different goods and services on changes in the scale of other types of goods production and services in the Russian economy.

Geography of Russia's exports in the new sanctions realities

The article examines the current trends in the development of Russia's foreign trade relations, namely the formation of new vectors of cooperation on the international market against the background of anti-Russian sanctions policy, as well as under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the processes of digital transformation of the world economy and trade. The author concludes that at the present stage, the Russian economy is in a state of uncertainty associated with strong geopolitical tensions, the coronavirus pandemic, disruptions in global supply chains and other negative external and internal factors. The purpose of the study is to develop proposals to support Russian producers in the interests of expanding the geography of exports to friendly countries, as well as protecting the national economy from the impact of risks. As the analysis showed, in the conditions of actual transformation processes among Russia's trading partners, interaction with countries such as China and Turkey has the greatest potential, given their interest in cooperation and refusal to impose anti-Russian sanctions. In addition, Turkey is an important transit hub for Russian imports. The article concludes that the prospects for promoting and increasing the volume of Russian exports are largely associated with China and Turkey. Within the framework of this study, a set of measures to support domestic producers to expand the geography of Russian exports towards other countries has been formulated.

Russian-Hungarian cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and the impact of anti-russian sanctions

The analysis of the possibilities and directions of Russian-Hungarian bilateral cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals carried out by the authors allowed us to assert that in the conditions of anti-Russian Western sanctions, the situation in the domestic pharmaceutical industry in terms of demand and supply of medicines has significantly worsened. The pharmaceutical industry remains important both from the point of view of ensuring public health and national security in this area, and high innovation. The authors conclude that it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation in this area, especially with states that traditionally have high achievements in it and a long history of interaction with Russian structures. One of these countries is Hungary. The article emphasizes that both countries are interested in cooperation in this area, relying on the ties traditionally formed during the socialist period and a certain complementarity. It is also noted that under the conditions of sanctions, the Russian pharmaceutical industry maintains both positive dynamics and maintains a high level of competitiveness of manufacturers in the domestic market.

Gas Crisis as a Precursor of European Recession

The reasons for the gas crisis in the European Union, which began in 2021, were the instability of renewable energy, the redirection of LNG to the premium Asian market, anti-Russian sanctions, and a decrease in gas imports from Russia. Despite the measures taken by the EU authorities (energy conservation, diversification of gas supplies and energy sources, financial support for the householders and businesses), the gas crisis will worsen in 2023. The gas crisis, superimposed on the mistakes of the monetary policy of the European authorities, accelerates inflation, intensifying structural imbalances in the EU economy and bringing recession closer. The symptoms of a recession can already be observed with the help of key indicators, which include indexes of industrial production and Manufacturing PMI, trade balance, inflation, unemployment rate, retail sales and GDP. The economic downturn in the European Union will negatively affect the dynamics of production in the largest trading partners (China, the US and the UK) and may trigger a recession in the global economy.

Russian-Japanese relations and the Chinese factor: Evolution and transformation (2012–2022)

The election of V.V. Putin for a new presidential term in 2012 and his further foreign policy initiatives affected the intensification of Russia’s foreign policy in general, as well as its Japanese direction. The article attempts to highlight the development of Russian-Japanese relations in the period of 2012–2022, including the phase of aggravation of relations after the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and Japan’s accession to the US anti-Russian sanctions, as well as the role and influence of China on the bilateral Russian-Japanese format, the East Asian region, the specifics of Chinese-American relations in the context of the “trade war” in the Japanese dimension, etc. Based on the published works of leading Russian experts, the author examines the dynamics of mutual perception of the images of Russia and Japan at the level of Russian and Japanese public opinion. Particular attention is paid to the study of the evolution of Russian-Japanese trade and economic, military-political, energy, Arctic, and humanitarian contacts. The paper traces the features of Russian, Japanese and Chinese motivations regarding regional security issues, attitudes towards the Ukrainian events, including the Russian special military operation, Moscow’s reaction to anti-Russian sanctions, towards the pressure from the United States and their allies. In general, the problem of the evolution of the notional triangle “Russia – Japan – China” at the present stage, the deformation of its key elements and the prospects for further development are formulated.The author focuses on the coverage of Russian-Japanese contacts in the areas of regional security before and after February 24, 2022, including the South Kuril options, as well as the analysis of hidden possible Japanese political motivations during the rule of Shinzō Abe regarding the problems of the deepening of the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership and the projections of this partnership on the security of Japan and the Japanese-American military-political alliance. An important aspect of the work is the coverage of the dynamics of the Russian-Japanese political relations in the light of the Russian leadership designating Japan as an “unfriendly state” and the further development of bilateral Russian-Japanese and Russian-Chinese models of interaction in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ukrainian crisis in Japan’s domestic political discourse

The Ukrainian crisis, which came into its active phase in February 2022, led to the collapse of Russia’s relations with many countries, and Japan was no exception. The Japanese government expressed strong criticism of Russia’s actions and joined the anti-Russian sanctions with, probably, most vigor, compared to any other Asian nation. This makes the question about the reasons for such course pursued by Tokyo vis-à-vis Russia a particularly timely one. In Russia, there is a widespread opinion that such position held by Tokyo is caused mostly by pressure from the United States. Yet such view seems to be a gross simplification. This article attempts to analyze the positions of various participants of the Japanese foreign policy making process about the events unfolding in Ukraine. It shows that, even though all key parties, irrespective of their political orientation, take a critical stance towards the actions of the Russian Federation, their statements show some nuances reflecting their ideological priorities. For example, the ruling LDP emphasizes solidarity with the US; its junior coalition partner, Komeito, stresses humanitarian aspects and the role of the UN; the Japan Innovation Party criticizes the government for indecisiveness and calls for more active military policy, while the left-wing populist Reiwa Shinsengumi even refused to support the relevant Diet resolution to demonstrate its principled stance to the voters. There are indeed opinions which can arguably be called apologetic towards Russia. However, those holding such opinions are but a minority and are hardly able to alter the position of the government or the Japanese public as a whole. There is a virtual consensus about the issue, and nuances in the positions of major political forces are inconsequential. One would be justified to assume that, under any probable domestic political situation, Tokyo will not change its policy about the matter.