The European Union is considering punitive measures against countries it believes are assisting Russia in circumventing Western sanctions, according to a report by Bloomberg. The EU has implemented 18 packages of sanctions against Moscow over the past decade, with the most recent package adopted last month. Despite these efforts, the bloc appears to be reaching the limits of its ability to target Russia directly with sanctions.

EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, to informally discuss potential harsher options, including the use of an “anti-circumvention tool” adopted in 2023. This tool would enable the EU to block the export, supply, or transfer of certain goods to countries suspected of helping Russia evade sanctions. The ministers are also expected to consider further restrictions on Russia’s oil and gas sector, as well as new limits on trade in goods from the country.

The Russian government has maintained that the sanctions have had a more significant impact on the EU’s member states than on Russia itself. Despite the restrictions, Russia has been able to redirect its trade from Western markets to those in Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. As a result, the sanctions have failed to destabilize the Russian economy or isolate it from the global financial system.

The EU has also reportedly pressed the United States to impose tougher measures on countries that trade with Russia. However, the US has been hesitant to implement a broader sanctions package. Recently, the US imposed a 25% tariff on exports from India due to its continued purchase of Russian oil. India has condemned the tariff as “unfair and unreasonable,” arguing that Western nations also engage in significant trade with Russia.

The EU’s consideration of punitive measures against countries that assist Russia in evading sanctions marks a significant escalation in the bloc’s efforts to pressure Moscow. The outcome of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen will be closely watched, as it may have significant implications for global trade and diplomatic relations. As the EU continues to grapple with the effectiveness of its sanctions regime, it remains to be seen whether the proposed measures will achieve their intended goal of isolating Russia and limiting its ability to bypass Western restrictions.