To impose a cost?
Provide me please with a synonym expression for "impose a cost", because I don't quite get it.
the context:
by supporting the steady emergence of strong democracies accountable to their people instead of any foreign power; and by building an international system that imposes a cost on those who choose conflict over cooperation, an order that recognizes the dignity and equal worth of all people.

Question

Answer

impose a cost = impose a penalty = inflict adverse consequences

Answer

It's not a natural collocation but the meaning is clear enough.  "impose a penalty" would be more normal. "punish financially" is the idea.