EU sanctions on Russia to hit European businesses: expert The EU prepared Tuesday to hit Russia where it hurts with tough economic sanctions as Moscow insisted the West can do it little harm and showed no sign of reversing course in Ukraine. However, Dr Gonzalo Pozo-Martin, a lecturer in International Political Economy at King's College London, says EU sanctions are likely to have an effect on Vladimir Putin's popularity at home, adding that they will also adversely affect some European businesses. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES.