Oil prices rise as geopolitical tensions rise; EU sanctions on Russia eyed

Published 22/09/2025, 03:02
Updated 22/09/2025, 10:02
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Oil rose Monday, bouncing from the previous losing week as traders weighed the potential impact of fresh European Union measures aimed at curbing Russia’s energy revenues and a series of Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure.

 As of 04:55 ET (08:55 GMT), Brent Oil Futures expiring in November rose 0.2% to $66.79 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 0.3% to $62.56 per barrel.

Brent futures slipped nearly 0.5% last week amid pressure from President Donald Trump to push prices lower.

EU sanctions pressure mounts

The European Commission on Friday proposed its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which would impose penalties on traders, refineries, and petrochemical firms in third countries, including China, that breach existing rules on Russian energy imports. 

The proposal also seeks to list 118 vessels part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

Additionally, the EU is aiming to bring forward a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), potentially moving its implementation up to Jan. 1, 2027, under pressure from the U.S. 

U.S. officials have been vocal in support of these measures. Trump has urged the EU to impose harsh tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil, notably China and India, and called for Europe to accelerate its exit from Russian energy supplies.

Ukraine strikes disrupt Russian energy infrastructure

Meanwhile, Ukraine has stepped up strikes on key components of Russia’s energy-export infrastructure. 

Ukraine said on Saturday that its drone forces struck Rosneft’s Saratov refinery and the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in Russia’s Volga region, triggering explosions and large fires. 

The Novokuibyshevsk facility, situated in Samara Oblast, processes over 8.8 million tons of oil annually, while the Saratov refinery handles more than 7 million tons, according to reports.

These disruptions are viewed by energy markets as strengthening the floor under oil prices, given that they reduce throughput and raise risks to both crude and product exports. 

Analysts say even temporary suspensions of terminals or pipeline segments tighten global supply margins.

Geopolitical tensions on the rise

The weekend’s news that four Western nations have recognised Palestinian state has added to jitters in the Middle East, a key oil-producing region.

Additionally, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed early on Saturday to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia launched airstrikes targeting western Ukraine near the border with Poland, armed forces of the NATO-member country said.

The deployment came after three Russian military jets violated NATO Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on Friday, while on Sunday, Germany’s air force reported that a Russian military plane entered neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Ayushman Ojha contributed to this article 

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