The EU has imposed sanctions on 41 additional vessels of Russia's shadow fleet, targeting vessels involved in circumventing oil price caps, supporting Russia's energy sector, or transporting military equipment and stolen Ukrainian goods, bringing the total to nearly 600 vessels as part of broader measures against Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Russia's wartime economy is under increasing strain as it relies heavily on depleted buffers like reserves and foreign income, with structural issues and external pressures threatening its long-term stability, though it has not yet collapsed.
The UK and G7 allies are preparing to announce new sanctions against Russia aimed at restricting its war efforts and energy revenues, though the US appears hesitant to join due to economic concerns and Trump's opposition. The sanctions are part of broader efforts to pressure Russia amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with discussions also focusing on energy price caps and economic measures, while Ukraine faces continued missile strikes.
A US official has stated that the United States aims to cut Russia's energy revenues in half by 2030. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce Russia's influence and increase energy security for Europe.
Russia has admitted to facing "problems" as its energy revenues fall due to the global energy market's volatility and the decline in oil prices. The country's economy is heavily dependent on energy exports, and the fall in revenues has led to economic problems.
Russia is expected to start buying Chinese yuan to replenish its foreign reserves for the first time since it invaded Ukraine in 2022. The move indicates that Western sanctions and a G7-led price cap on Russian crude aren't enough to curb Russia's energy revenues. Russia is likely to snap up around $200 million in Chinese yuan each month, marking a reversal of its yuan sales from its reserves to cover its budget deficit. Russia has managed to maintain its energy revenues by forcing oil producers to pay more taxes and redirecting oil exports to alternative markets such as China and India.
Russia posted a budget deficit of $29 billion in Q1 2023 due to a 45% plunge in energy revenues caused by boycotts and sanctions. The country's spending jumped 34% to $99 billion, with defense spending going over budget by 54% in 2022. Russia's combined defense and security spending is expected to hit nearly one-third of the national budget in 2023. The Kremlin plans to post a deficit of no more than 2% of its GDP in 2023, but analysts predict it will likely exceed 2%.