The Moscow Times: EU Energy Sanctions Only Painful on Paper

While the EU's harshest sanctions against Russia to date do target major sectors of the Russian economy, great care has been taken to avoid damaging the energy industry, where Europe is loath to disrupt supplies of vital Russian gas.

Late on Tuesday, the Council of the European Union published an agreement on sanctions aimed at pressuring Russia into ceasing its alleged support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. A finalized list of sanctions is due to be published Thursday and to go into force on Friday.

One of the most anticipated measures is a ban on the sale of energy-related equipment and technology to Russia. Being highly dependent on Western supplies, the energy sector would have suffered a painful blow were such sanctions applied at maximum force.
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