The European Union has unveiled its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, described as one of the strongest ever imposed, but experts argue it is more symbolic than strategic given Russia’s current economic adaptation. The measures include tightened price caps on Russian oil and expanded bans on tankers, seen as having limited real-world impact compared to their 2022 implementation. The sanctions also target refined petroleum products, Nord Stream pipelines, and financial sectors, with secondary sanctions affecting some Chinese and Indian entities. However, the package is criticized for lacking substantial economic impact and not addressing the core issues of Russia’s economic resilience.