Group 1 - The EU has implemented its strongest sanctions since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, blacklisting 342 oil tankers, nearly doubling the previous count of 153 [1] - The sanctions include a wide range of measures such as mixed sanctions, human rights sanctions, and chemical weapons sanctions, indicating a new strategy to cut off the survival space of shadow oil tankers [3][4] - The sanctions target not only the shadow fleet but also key oil transportation companies like Surgutneftegas, aiming to sever Russia's funding sources [4] Group 2 - The Western countries were aware of the existence of shadow oil tankers but hesitated to act due to concerns over global oil supply stability, which reaches 10 million barrels per day [4] - The EU's previous oil price cap measures had limited effectiveness, with Russian oil revenues decreasing by 13.7% from March 2023 compared to March 2022, resulting in an estimated loss of $38 billion [4] - The shift in EU and US policy began last summer, with the UK leading efforts to strengthen sanctions against shadow oil tankers [6] Group 3 - The recent sanctions were partly triggered by political dynamics, including statements from former President Trump that angered the EU and prompted a more aggressive stance [8] - Italy has taken a strong position by preparing to provide military support to Ukraine, reflecting a broader shift in European policy towards direct military assistance [8][12] - The EU's decisive actions, including sanctions and military support, suggest a potential acceleration towards ending the conflict if this assertive approach continues [12]