Dalle sanzioni generali alle smart sanctions: evoluzione e impatto del fenomeno sanzionatorio nel diritto internazionale e la natura delle misure restrittive europee

The paper assesses the legal framework applicable to sanctions by analysing the different theoretical approaches with regards to the nature of sanctions in the international legal order and, by that, the analysis will distinguish sanctions from countermeasures. It considers EU sanctions and explores their peculiar nature in light of international law. The paper assesses legality of the EU sanctions as measures adopted out of necessity to prevent major ruptures to peace and international law.