Most people don't realize there is a glaring hole in the sanctions against Russia.

[martybegan]

One thing people have to realize about the sanctions applied to Russia, there is one giant glaring hole it in.

Most People Don't Know That the Europeans Are Helping Fund the Russian Side of the War

Despite a range of sanctions and the threat posed by dependence on Russian energy, in the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU imports of Russian fossil fuels in particular remain largely unchanged, totalling EUR 21.9 bn, a 6% year-on-year drop in value but merely a 1% year-on-year drop in volumes.

Notably, EU imports of Russian fossil fuels in the third year of the invasion surpassed the EUR 18.7 bn of financial aid they sent to Ukraine in 2024.

Russia’s total global fossil fuel earnings in the third year of the invasion also reached EUR 242 bn and have totalled EUR 847 bn since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Europeans have only themselves to blame for this. Despite their attempts to go carbon neutral, Europe simply isn't a good spot for solar power, and even wind power has issues due to certain weather conditions found in central Europe. They can't quit Russian gas or oil, or at least making up the difference with US or OPEC oil would daunting.

Dunkelflaute - Wikipedia

In the renewable energy sector, a dunkelflaute is a period of time in which little or no energy can be generated with wind and solar power, because there is neither wind nor sunlight

 

[Darkwind]

It is amazing at just what a mess the EU is in.

 

[1srelluc]

FAFO seems to apply here....The EU just hasn't found out yet.

Gee, we would like to help with massively increased production but the enviro weeines would just tie it up in court.

 

[martybegan]

FAFO seems to apply here....The EU just hasn't found out yet.

Gee, we would like to help with massively increased production but the enviro weeines would just tie it up in court.

And it also indicates that unless they have a sizable reserve or the ability to get oil and gas from other sources, Russia could stop any European involvement in Ukraine by turning off the pumps and compressors.