EU Unleashes Toughest Sanctions Yet on Russian Oil—But Will They Really Cripple Moscow?

The European Union has approved its 18th and most sweeping package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's vital oil exports with a lower price cap and new restrictions on its 'shadow fleet' of tankers.

The measures aim to slash Russia's energy revenues, which fund its war in Ukraine, and include bans on transactions with Russian banks and petroleum products. Despite these efforts, analysts and officials note that Russia has adapted to previous sanctions, and major buyers like India and China are expected to continue importing Russian crude. The new sanctions could disrupt global oil markets, impact Indian refiners, and raise fuel prices, but their effectiveness in truly weakening Russia's war machine remains uncertain.

The package also highlights growing tensions within the EU, as countries like Slovakia initially resisted the measures before accepting guarantees.