Tuesday’s Coverage: Russia Reviving Barter to Evade Sanctions
Russia’s oil pipeline monopoly Transneft has warned producers that output may have to be cut, amid Ukraine’s drone attacks on pipelines, ports, and refineries.
Transneft handles more than 80% of all oil extracted in Russia. In recent days, it has restricted storage capacity in the pipeline system, said “two industry sources close to Russian oil firms“. The monopoly told producers that it may have to accept less oil if infrastructure sustains more damage.
Transneft denied the report as “fake news”.
Ukraine has cut refining capacity by almost 20% in the past six weeks and damaged vital ports for the loading of oil. On Tuesday, Ukrainian military intelligence said it struck the Saratov oil refinery in southwest Russia.
On Sunday night, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky told the nation:
The most effective sanctions – the ones that work the fastest – are the fires at Russia’s oil refineries, its terminals, oil depots. To significantly restrict Russia’s oil industry is to significantly restrict the war.
Earlier this month Vladimir Putin finally acknowledged gasoline shortages across Russia, without mentioning the Ukrainian attacks.
Von der Leyen: EU to Speed Up Phase-Out of Russia Oil and Gas
President Ursula von der Leyen says the European Commission will propose acceleration of the phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports.
After a call with Donald Trump, Von der Leyen posted:
I had a good call with @POTUS on strengthening our joint efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia through additional measures.
The Commission will soon present its 19th package of sanctions, targeting crypto, banks, and energy.
Russia’s war economy, sustained by revenues…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 16, 2025
But Trump continued to provide cover for the Kremlin. Holding out on toughened US sanctions by declaring Europe must “stop buying oil from Russia”, he put the onus on Zelensky “to get going and make a deal”, ignoring Putin’s refusal of a ceasefire or a halt to Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
The European Union has sharply reduced its purchases of Russian oil and gas, and has set a goal of a total suspension by 2027. However, its efforts are being hindered by Hungary and Slovakia.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico are allies of both Trump and Putin.
