The analyst questioned the economic effect of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia

Despite claims that the new package of sanctions against Russia is "one of the strictest," in fact, it is only a repetition of existing restrictions, Igor Rastorguev, a leading analyst at AMarkets, told Izvestia on July 18.

According to the analyst, this is not a new round of pressure, but rather an attempt to create a political effect without real changes in the economic policy of the European Union (EU).

"Formally, the package may look large-scale: there are words about secondary sanctions, restrictions on re-exports, and control over circumvention schemes. But in terms of content, it almost completely duplicates previous measures," the analyst noted.

He stressed that the package lacks new critical solutions, such as the embargo on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or the disconnection of additional banks from SWIFT, which is why the market reacts cautiously.

As for the EU economy, the expert believes that the effect will be minimal.

"Increased control over bypass schemes may complicate logistics and increase the costs of individual companies, but in general, the impact on macro indicators will be symbolic," he explained.

According to him, the sanctions will also have no significant impact on the gas market.

"Talk of "rigidity" may heat up quotes in the short term, but there are no fundamental reasons for price growth," Rastorguev summed up.

It doesn't make sense.: The European Union has adopted the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

The restrictions will also affect the ceiling of oil prices.

On the same day, the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, announced that the permanent representatives of the European Union countries had agreed on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. The restrictions will affect the operation of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The EU countries also agreed to lower the ceiling on Russian oil prices.