ALWAGHT- Following the EU’s 18th round of sanctions aimed at Moscow’s oil industry, Russia stated it has developed a level of immunity and learned to adjust to Western pressure.
The Kremlin has strongly condemned the European Union’s 18th round of sanctions, calling them "illegal" and warning of repercussions for countries that support such unilateral measures. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has developed a degree of immunity to the sanctions and is analyzing the new package to minimize its impact. He warned that each new wave of restrictions could also harm the countries imposing them, describing the situation as a “double-edged sword.”
The latest EU sanctions target 23 additional Russian companies, expand restrictions on the oil and banking sectors, and blacklist more than 100 ships from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to evade oil price caps. These measures raise the total number of sanctioned Russian individuals and entities to over 2,500. Meanwhile, the EU is also pushing for a stricter oil price cap, seeking support from G7 nations, although rising global oil prices—partly driven by tensions in West Asia—have complicated that effort.
The sanctions come amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Russia describes as a response to NATO’s eastward expansion. Western countries continue to provide military aid to Ukraine, which Moscow claims only prolongs the war. After initially reducing support for Kyiv upon his return to office, US President Donald Trump recently reversed course and approved new shipments of defensive weapons, reigniting debates over US involvement in the conflict.
