By Admin 
Amidst the Ukraine war, efforts to increase pressure on Russia are going to intensify once again. According to Reuters report, the G7 and the European Union are now considering such a step, which could affect Russia’s oil income more than all previous sanctions. This proposal is related to the complete removal of western countries’ maritime services tanker, insurance and shipping from Russia’s oil trade. If this is implemented then a big change can be seen in global energy politics.
Even though Russia has created new routes amid the war, about one-third of its oil transportation is still carried by the ships of European maritime countries. Large quantities of crude oil is reaching India and China through the huge tanker fleets of Greece, Malta and Cyprus. These services will stop once the proposed sanctions are implemented and Russia will have to find new options to reach its global buyers.
The size of the shadow fleet will increase further – because this is Russia’s second support.
According to Reuters report, Russia had created a “shadow fleet” with old ships, unclear ownership and no Western insurance after the previous price cap restrictions. This fleet is now transporting more than 70% of its oil. But if the G7–EU shut down the entire maritime network, Russia will have to expand its fleet, which will not only increase costs but also increase the risks of accidents and transparency.
The beginning of 2026 could become a big turning point – EU is preparing to add it in the next package
Insiders say that the EU is seriously considering including this proposal in a larger sanctions package due in early 2026. However, some members want a joint consensus to be reached in the G7 first. America and Britain are pursuing this option at the technical level.
The final decision will decide the policy of Trump administration
This decision will largely depend on what direction President Donald Trump wants to take the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine. Many experts believe that Trump does not consider the price cap strategy to be as effective as the previous administration, so his stance will play an important role.
The harshest proposal since 2022
Sanctions on Russia continued to increase from 2022. First European oil imports stopped, then a price cap was implemented. But a complete ban on maritime services could have a bigger impact than all previous measures. This would almost be a move akin to Russia’s stranglehold on international oil transportation.
How has Russia avoided pressure so far?
Russia’s strategy was simple, send ships from where control is less. This is the reason why most of the ships heading towards Asian countries sail without western insurance and without shared data. The Biden administration has argued that if Russia spends more on ships, it will have less resources left for war, but the Trump team is skeptical about this thinking.
Current situation-Russian oil divided into three parts
According to the analysis of Finland’s CREA organization, Russia transports its crude oil through several channels. About 44% of its restricted shadow fleet, 18% non-restricted shadow vessels and 38% are handled by tankers belonging to the G7–EU or Australia. Maritime data shows that 1,423 ships are involved in carrying banned oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, of which more than 900 fall under Western sanctions.
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