MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Growing Russian oil trade continues to support the war in Ukraine – E-002061/2024

Question for written answer  E-002061/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)

Despite EU sanctions, the Russian budget’s revenues from crude oil and refined petroleum products were 56 % higher for January to August 2024 than for the same months in 2023. This is one and a half times higher than one year ago and are almost the same as in the record year 2022[1].

The biggest problem and challenge for the EU are the illegal ‘shadow’ tanker fleets that account for 90 % of Russia’s seaborne oil exports[2]. These allow Russia to ignore the price caps, so the Kremlin still has enough money to continue the war. If everything remains as it is, reserves will last at least two more years, according to analysts. Ukraine’s allies should therefore take advantage of Russia’s economic vulnerabilities and step up sanctions pressure now.

• 1.How will the Commission enforce more decisive sanctions against all Russian crude oil and refined petroleum products and ensure that these sanctions cannot be evaded easily?
• 2.Will the Commission consider placing greater emphasis on checking compliance with sanctions and monitoring their impact on the Russian economy?
• 3.How else will the Commission contribute to blocking the illegal flow of Russian oil to the European market?

Submitted: 14.10.2024

• [1] https://kse.ua/about-the-school/news/kse-institute-s-russia-chartbook-global-prices-weigh-on-oil-exports-cbr-continues-to-struggle-with-inflation/.
• [2] https://energyandcleanair.org/august-2024-monthly-analysis-of-russian-fossil-fuel-exports-and-sanctions/.