US, allies prepare new sanctions against Russian oil industry - WSJ

Western countries will introduce a new round of sanctions against the Russian oil sector next month.

That's according to Wall Street Journal, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The U.S. and its allies are preparing their next round of sanctions on Russia's oil industry, aiming to cap the sales prices of Russian exports of refined petroleum products in an expansion of novel penalties the West has imposed on the country's crude," the article reads.

It is stated that in meetings across Europe this week, Treasury officials are discussing the details of the coming sanctions on Russian oil products, which are set to go into effect February 5.

"The penalties will set two price limits on Russian refined products: one on high-value exports such as diesel and another on low-value ones such as fuel oil," WSJ said, referring to people familiar with the plans.

The new limits will follow moves last month by the U.S., European Union and their allies in the Group of Seven advanced democracies to cap the price of Russian crude exports at $60 a barrel. Those sanctions have had a relatively muted impact on global prices, encouraging Western officials who want to pressure Russia's budget while minimizing volatility in critical global energy markets.