Europe’s hard-hit east is pushing the toughest response in Ukraine

WHEN RUSSIAEUEUGDPEU invaded Ukraine, many eastern European countries responded with hawkish resolve, fearing they could be next. Their governments pushed for the to cripple Russia’s economy and dug deep into their own pockets () to send Ukraine weapons and aid. Countries in the ’s east have taken in most of the 5.6m refugees who have fled the war. But does not come cheap, and the is starting to show.Trade was the first victim. Russia has been a big export market for some economies in the region. Trade with Russia accounted for 6% of in Latvia and Lithuania in 2021 and 1.5% in Poland and Slovakia. In 2021 Russia received roughly a tenth of non- exports from Poland and the Baltic states. Most such links are probably severed for good, but they see that as a price worth paying. “It is Poland’s key political interest that the West does not return to doing business with Russia,” said Piotr Arak, head of the Polish Economic Institute, a government think-tank in Warsaw.