Threats and Sanctions: Signals for Putin Amid Western Economic Measures
According to Bloomberg, in order to truly influence Russian leader Vladimir Putin and compel him to change course, more convincing and forceful threats are necessary than empty words and promises.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced plans to implement additional measures against major Russian state and private oil companies, “Rosneft” and “Lukoil.” However, the key issue remains whether these sanctions will affect the countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, particularly China, India, and Turkey, which are the main consumers of this resource on the global market.
The sanctions announced since November 21 are currently somewhat symbolic — foreign companies that continue cooperation with these Russian giants potentially risk sanctions or punitive measures.
At the same time, this situation may deter Indian buyers who seek ways to bypass restrictions and maintain import flows.
For China, the response depends on government directives regarding their refineries’ operations.
All this remains highly uncertain and is unlikely to significantly influence Putin’s decisions or force a change in Russia’s internal and external policies.
Meanwhile, these sanctions have contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices, reflecting fears of tighter restrictions, and Ukraine, along with the international community, continues to evaluate whether these measures will ultimately impact Russia’s long-term stance and if Western efforts can be more effective.
Russia’s ability to circumvent sanctions and preserve its market positions persists, indicating that the ultimate decision may still lie with Putin, while Western countries are primarily developing strategies and attempting to identify vulnerabilities within the global trade and sanction systems.