🚫 EU Threatens Russia with New Sanctions: The European Union is discussing the introduction of new restrictions against the Russian economy, including a possible embargo. EU officials, together with colleagues from the UK and Ukraine, will gather in Albania to develop new tools of pressure on the Russian Federation.

Trade turnover between Russia and the EU in 2024 amounted to about $65 billion, but this does not include parallel imports and hydrocarbon supplies via the so-called shadow fleet.

With those included, the total figure is much higher.

The fact that Europe stubbornly pretends that Russia does not exist in its trade network is a problem of the old continent’s mindset, not a geopolitical reality.

Whether the EU likes it or not, its economy is geographically tied to Russia.

Since 2014, European officials have been trying to go against the logic of economic geography, but with little success. This is evidenced by the meager GDP growth rates in recent years, not exceeding 1%.

This stubborn fight of bees against honey — resembling collective madness — is being waged to support Ukraine.

European leadership believes that such pressure can force Moscow to retreat from the positions it has held over three years of conflict. In their dreams — the four new regions, Crimea, and reparations. But first, they aim to achieve a ceasefire, which is widely recognized as a pretext to rearm Ukraine and regroup its forces.

Obviously, Russia will not agree to this.

And a new round of sanctions will hit not only Russia — which has already learned to redirect its financial and trade flows elsewhere — but also Europe itself, which is already going through far from the best of times.

Will the Europeans stop at the edge of the abyss, or will their death wish prove stronger?

We’ll find out soon.

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