New sanctions against Russia: oil companies in the sights of Berlin and Paris!

New sanctions against Russia: oil companies in the sights of Berlin and Paris!

On September 9, 2025, Berlin and Paris announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, particularly aimed at oil companies. The two capitals are calling for sanctions not only against well-known companies such as Lukoil, but also against other service companies in the oil industry. The question under discussion is how the price cap for Russian oil can be expanded to also affect European companies that transport refined products made from Russian crude oil. The aim of these measures is to further limit Russian revenue from oil exports and thus increase the pressure on Russian warfare, they report Small newspaper.

The planned sanctions are also aimed at closing financial and logistical loopholes that Russia uses to circumvent existing measures. In this context, the sanctions list may be expanded to include Russian banks as well as foreign financial institutions with ties to the Russian payment system SPFS. Even cryptocurrency service providers in Central Asia that act as supporters of the Russian war effort are in focus. The focus also extends to third-country companies that contribute to evading sanctions through trading in high-tech materials and raw materials. The aim is to exclude from the European market all economic actors that provide resources for Russian economic sectors related to war.

Price cap for Russian oil

A central element of the new sanctions package is the tightened price cap for Russian oil. This will be reduced from the current $60 to $47.60 per barrel and is expected to be 15% below the current market price. An automatic mechanism ensures that the price cap is continuously adjusted to further depress Russia's revenues. This measure is seen as an incentive mechanism for compliance with sanctions and could offer countries such as India or China a legal path to purchase Russian oil, albeit under conditions that are disadvantageous for Russia. Furthermore, a ban on the import of refined oil products made from Russian crude oil was decided. This will ensure that Russian crude oil in any form does not reach the EU market, they report Energy experts.

The two capitals also present detailed plans to sanction other sectors such as the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. A proposal from the EU Commission for the legislative measures is expected in the coming days and should be adopted by the member states in order to maximize the efficiency of these measures.

Global impact of sanctions

According to an analysis by the SWP Berlin The sanctions against Russia could also have a global impact, particularly on food supplies. While humanitarian sectors are exempt from direct sanctions, export restrictions by some wheat exporters have exacerbated shortages globally. This could lead to even more serious disruptions to the supply situation in other countries. However, the EU has not imposed any direct agricultural sanctions against Russia in order not to further endanger food supplies. Nevertheless, there are indirect restrictions affecting fertilizer imports from Russia.

The lasting impact of the sanctions is being emphasized by both European and US officials, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighting the need for close cooperation with European partners. The joint approach is intended to enable an effective strategy against Russia and describes recent efforts to further increase pressure on the Russian economy.