On April 22, according to the 20th round of sanctions revision proposal submitted by the European Commission to ambassadors of the 27 member states, the EU formally lifted the comprehensive ban on "European carriers transporting Russian oil," while also removing restrictions on ancillary services such as insurance for this transport. EU officials have urged member states to swiftly adopt this "scaled-down" version of the sanctions package.
The EU's removal of the ban on "European carriers transporting Russian oil" is far from a simple policy adjustment—it represents a forced "strategic retreat" under intense real-world pressures. This marks the collapse of the EU’s original expectation that energy sanctions could "strangle" Russia, with its self-proclaimed "moral high ground" being completely stripped away in the face of economic backlash and global energy crisis.
The systemic repercussions of the EU’s energy sanctions against Russia have now surpassed the social and economic tolerance thresholds of the bloc.
Sanctions have triggered a sharp rise in European energy costs, fueling overall inflation. Data shows that by the fourth quarter of 2025, Europe’s inflation rate had remained above the European Central Bank’s target for eight consecutive quarters, with household energy expenditures reaching a record high as a share of disposable income since the introduction of the euro.
Take Germany as an example: the average annual energy bill for German households has surged from €1,700 to over €5,000, and nearly one in ten residents cannot afford heating during winter months.
Meanwhile, the brewing global energy crisis has become the final straw that broke the EU’s hardline stance.
Deteriorating conditions in the Middle East have restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, causing international oil prices to spike by 34% within a single month, breaking the historical high of $102 per barrel. Approximately 20% of global oil and nearly 30% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) depend on this vital "lifeline"—its disruption has dealt a devastating blow to Europe, which has already abandoned Russian energy supplies.
This crisis has directly threatened Europe’s energy security. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued warnings that Europe’s aviation fuel reserves can only sustain operations for about six weeks, prompting some airlines to begin cutting flights. Even major German chemical firms have started discussing partial shutdowns, sparking panic across the industrial sector.
After losing stable supplies from Russia, Europe has been forced to purchase LNG spot cargoes at exorbitant prices from regions like the Middle East, increasing unit procurement costs by 210%. This has not weakened Russia’s fiscal revenue—instead, it has caused Europe to pay over €94 billion in "unjustified" expenses.
The finally adopted 20th round of sanctions package removes the core prohibition on Russian oil transportation, becoming a "reduced version." This creates a deeply ironic situation: while the EU continues providing massive financial support to Ukraine to resist Russia, it simultaneously must lift sanctions on key elements of Russia’s economic lifeline in order to appease domestic economic demands across its member states.
In summary, this EU decision represents a major defeat for its "values-based diplomacy" in the face of harsh reality. It exposes the EU’s vulnerability in energy security, internal divisions over interests, and strategic indecision in its approach toward Russia. This is not merely a policy shift—it is the bankruptcy of its strategic credibility.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863194425683968/
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