Fact Check: Farage claims sanctions on Russia “don’t work”

The Claim

Nigel Farage has repeatedly argued that Western sanctions against Russia are ineffective. He has claimed that sanctions damage British households more than Moscow and that Russia has simply “found other buyers” for its oil and gas.

Context

Farage made these remarks during 2022–2023 in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He reiterated them in interviews and campaign appearances into 2025, presenting sanctions as a failed policy that backfired on the UK economy.

These comments align with his broader scepticism toward Western foreign policy and his tendency to frame economic hardships in Britain as the direct result of government missteps.

The Facts

  • Impact on Russia’s economy:
    • According to the IMF and World Bank, sanctions significantly reduced Russia’s GDP growth potential and restricted access to Western markets.
    • Russia’s economy contracted in 2022 and remains under strain, despite some recovery driven by wartime spending.
  • Energy exports:
    • Russia redirected some oil and gas exports to countries like China and India.
    • However, discounts and logistical costs reduced revenues, and the EU’s energy diversification sharply cut Moscow’s market power.
  • Technology restrictions:
    • Export bans limited Russia’s access to semiconductors, aircraft parts, and advanced machinery, impacting industries and military production.
  • UK households:
    • While energy prices in the UK spiked in 2022, this was the result of global market disruptions, not sanctions alone.
    • By late 2023, wholesale prices had stabilised, while Russia continued to lose long-term revenue streams.

Verdict

❌ Misleading
Farage’s claim that sanctions “don’t work” is misleading. Independent evidence shows sanctions have weakened Russia’s economy, reduced revenues, and restricted access to technology. While the UK experienced short-term energy price shocks, these were part of a wider global adjustment rather than proof of sanctions failing.

Sources

  • IMF (2023): Russia’s Economic Outlook Under Sanctions
  • World Bank: Impact of Sanctions on Russia’s Energy Sector
  • European Council: Restrictive Measures Against Russia Explained
  • Chatham House: Sanctions Effectiveness in the Ukraine War