Europe’s Russia Sanctions Have a Major Blind Spot

Over the last two years, the EU and UK have emerged as leading actors in imposing sanctions on Russia. But people like Maria Demertzis, Professor at the European University Institute in Italy, have raised questions around the effectiveness of the sanctions campaign, as European institutions continue to operate profitable subsidiaries in the country with little scrutiny. UK and EU regulators should broaden their sanctions campaign by increasing scrutiny of European businesses that remain economically exposed to Russia. The new UK Foreign Secretary,…

Policy & Regulatory Background

Energy policy and regulatory developments are increasingly intertwined with geopolitical dynamics, trade relationships, and climate commitments. Sanctions regimes, export licensing requirements, and environmental regulations all exert material influence on production economics and global trade flows.

International bodies including the IEA, OPEC, and the WTO play significant roles in shaping the framework within which energy markets operate, through data publication, coordination mechanisms, and shared standards for energy security.

What to Watch

Observers should watch for regulatory agency responses, potential legal challenges, and downstream industry reactions as the evolving policy landscape continues to affect investment planning and operational compliance.