Part 4/11:
In the midst of these negotiations, the U.S. administration took significant steps to hinder Russian energy revenues, allowing the expiration of a crucial license that facilitated transactions for oil and gas purchases. This move, while signaling a harder stance against Russia, also illustrated the complex interplay of diplomacy and economic sanctions as weapons in international relations. Importantly, these sanctions target not just Russia but indirectly impact the European Union's energy dealings, a move that some analysts argue could destabilize existing partnerships.