Russia-Ukraine war live: Ukraine strikes bridge linking Kherson and Crimea, Russia-appointed officials say
GuardianMAY 2023
These new sanctions continue to punish Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Seeking to punish third countries who seek to circumvent sanctions by selling EU goods to Russia is a logical evolution of the restrictions. This is a move in the right direction.
The EU's ability to sanction third countries selling EU goods to Russia was severely weakened during negotiations. The EU knows it cannot start sanctioning countries outside of its jurisdiction — understanding that if it did so, it would drive those countries straight to the Kremlin. It can't tolerate that fate.
The West's sanctions have backfired against them. Russia has continued to trade independently of the West and its economy continued to grow over the last year. The West, meanwhile, has suffered a cost-of-living crisis driven by soaring energy bills.