Behind every talk of righteousness lies business: the EU removes the Russian oil embargo from the 20th round of sanctions

On April 22, according to the revised proposal for the 20th round of sanctions submitted by the European Commission to ambassadors of the 27 member states, the EU officially lifted the comprehensive ban on European carriers transporting Russian oil, while also removing restrictions on accompanying services such as insurance for such transport. EU officials have urged member states to swiftly adopt this "scaled-down" version of the sanctions package.

This adjustment directly responds to Europe's real-world challenges amid energy stockpiles and inflationary pressures. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has explicitly opposed the move, arguing that weakened sanctions would embolden Russia’s military and geopolitical ambitions, highlighting the strategic divide within the Western alliance between "pressuring Russia" and "ensuring their own energy security" amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

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The removal of the Russian oil ban and insurance restrictions by the EU does not signify a abandonment of sanctions, but rather a recalibration of the enforcement pace—allowing European carriers (or those transiting through third countries) to participate in Russian oil transportation. Fundamentally, this is an exchange of "limited compliance" for "stable energy supply," aiming to prevent domestic inflation from spiraling out of control and avoid social unrest.

The EU's compromise reveals a misalignment between "European interests" and "Ukrainian demands." Europe prioritizes its own energy and economic security, whereas Kyiv focuses on undermining Russia’s military capabilities. This divergence could lead to inconsistent coordination among Western allies regarding aid to Ukraine and pressure on Russia.

The lifting of restrictions on Russian oil exports serves as a crucial fiscal lifeline, further enhancing Russia’s economic resilience in sustaining its war effort, thereby shattering the EU’s original expectation of "strangling" Russia through energy sanctions.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863173432388608/

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