The EU is preparing its 13th package of anti-Russian sanctions but keeps buying Russian oil through India.

The European Commission will begin negotiations with EU countries on the introduction of the 13th package of sanctions against Russia, which are planned to be adopted by the second anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

However, the new sanctions will not add more restrictions against Russian nuclear energy, a report from Polish Radio in Brussels said.  According to diplomats, closing the trade routes and preventing the circumvention of sanctions was and remains important.

At the same time, as The Independent writes, oil imports from India to the EU have risen to a record level, while Delhi’s imports of Russian crude oil in 2023 increased by more than 100%. Last year, 20 of 27 EU countries bought Russian oil through India. At the same time, sanctions were able to influence Russian energy exports to some extent.

Lukoil, one of the largest oil refineries in Russia, reduced gasoline production by approximately 50% due to equipment failure, which requires imported elements that cannot be quickly replaced. This refinery is important for the Moscow region, which consumes about 30% of Russia’s gasoline.