According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the U.S. sanctions levied against Russian oil companies are beginning to exert a tangible impact. Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland and El Pais, Rutte highlighted the ripple effect of measures targeting Rosneft and Lukoil, noting their influence extends beyond Russia, affecting nations like China and India who now face potential repercussions for continued trade with these entities.
The sanctions’ effect is increasingly visible in Moscow, with Russian media reports suggesting the Kremlin is contemplating tax increases to compensate for diminished oil revenues. Rutte drew a direct link between these reported financial pressures and the ongoing war in Ukraine, characterizing them as a sign of the deteriorating economic situation within Russia. “When Putin reaches a point where he has to raise taxes, that says a lot about the state of affairs in Russia” Rutte stated.
The NATO chief asserted the conflict’s consequences are increasingly impacting the everyday lives of ordinary Russians and crucially, he predicts the burden will eventually fall upon Moscow’s elite. “I have no doubt that the war will ultimately reach the elites in Moscow” Rutte declared, suggesting internal pressure will grow as the economic strain intensifies. He speculated that Russia’s political and economic elite will ultimately begin to question and challenge Vladimir Putin’s leadership. The unfolding situation raises critical questions regarding the long-term viability of Putin’s regime and the Kremlin’s capacity to sustain its ongoing military operations in Ukraine.