Europe Tightens the Screws on Putin’s War Machine
A Thread 🧵
A Thread 🧵
1) The EU and UK just escalated sanctions against Russia’s war.
July 2025 saw its toughest sanctions yet – hitting Moscow’s oil revenues, banks and cronies – a clear message that Europe won’t back down. #StandWithUkraine
July 2025 saw its toughest sanctions yet – hitting Moscow’s oil revenues, banks and cronies – a clear message that Europe won’t back down. #StandWithUkraine
2) 🇪🇺 EU's 18th Sanctions Package (July 18): 55 new targets (14 people, 41 entities), hitting energy, banking & military. Over 2,500 total now sanctioned.
Trade bans tighten the noose around Putin’s war machine.
Trade bans tighten the noose around Putin’s war machine.
3) 💥 Oil crackdown: EU/UK slashed the Russian crude price cap from $60 to ~$47.6/barrel.
105 more “shadow fleet” tankers banned from EU ports. Putin’s oil lifeline? Severed.
105 more “shadow fleet” tankers banned from EU ports. Putin’s oil lifeline? Severed.
4) 🇬🇧 UK steps up: 137 new sanctions (July 21), including 135 tankers & firms linked to Lukoil.
Britain’s targeting Russia’s smuggling networks hard — in lockstep with the EU.
Britain’s targeting Russia’s smuggling networks hard — in lockstep with the EU.
5) ⚖️ Enforcement matters: Spain seized oligarch Vekselberg’s $90M yacht.
EU broke up a smuggling ring sending dual-use tech to Russia via 3rd countries. No more safe havens for sanctions dodgers.
EU broke up a smuggling ring sending dual-use tech to Russia via 3rd countries. No more safe havens for sanctions dodgers.
6) 🧊 Sanctions bite hard: Russia says it’s “adapting,” but oil & gas revenues are down 35% since 2022.
Ukraine calls EU/UK moves “timely & essential.” Europe’s resolve? Unshaken. #SlavaUkraini
Ukraine calls EU/UK moves “timely & essential.” Europe’s resolve? Unshaken. #SlavaUkraini
7) 🕳️ Sanctions aren’t airtight. Russia still earns billions from oil sold via non-Western routes — especially to China, India & the UAE.
Shadow fleets & loopholes mean enforcement is key. Without it, sanctions risk being symbolic.
Shadow fleets & loopholes mean enforcement is key. Without it, sanctions risk being symbolic.
8)🛢️ Reality check: Even with lower revenues, Russia shifts exports east, uses ghost tankers, and sells oil above the G7 price cap via third-party traders.
Sanctions slow the war, but don’t stop it. What’s needed? More pressure, tighter enforcement, and global coordination.
Sanctions slow the war, but don’t stop it. What’s needed? More pressure, tighter enforcement, and global coordination.
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