More Western sanctions target Russia over Ukraine
Sanctions targeting key members of Putin’s inner circle are having an effect – but not necessarily the one intended
At the end of April, the West unveiled a further round of sanctions on Russia over its meddling in Ukraine that, by targeting individuals close to the regime rather than the country itself, it hopes will change the Kremlin’s behaviour without hurting western investments or its trade with Russia, particularly in energy. However, with the crisis in Ukraine only deepening, harsher sectoral sanctions are in the pipeline. Like the first round of sanctions imposed on Russia in March, this latest round, released on 28 April by the US and subsequently by Canada, the EU and Japan, were applied to Russian individuals close to President Vladimir Putin as well as connected companies, rather than aimed a
Also in this section
19 January 2026
Newfound optimism is emerging that a dormant exploration frontier could become a strategic energy play and—whisper it quietly—Europe’s next offshore opportunity
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
16 January 2026
The global maritime oil transport sector enters 2026 facing a rare convergence of crude oversupply, record newbuild deliveries and the potential easing of several geopolitical disruptions that have shaped trade flows since 2022
15 January 2026
Rebuilding industry, energy dominance and lower energy costs are key goals that remain at odds in 2026
