New Sanctions On Russian Oil Hit Indian, Turkish Refineries. Enter China?

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty • January 18, 2026 • business

Key Points:

On January 6, the Panamanian-flagged tanker Bela 6 delivered nearly 100,000 tons of Russian oil to a refinery in Turkey, despite Tupras cutting Russian crude imports by 69% in December ahead of an EU ban effective January 21.
The EU's new sanctions prohibit imports of products derived from Russian crude, aiming to reduce Moscow's war revenues, particularly affecting refineries in Turkey and India that export refined products to EU markets.
Critics warn of loopholes allowing refineries to conceal Russian crude origins or re-export refined products via exempt countries, with calls for stricter rules to close these gaps going unanswered by EU officials.
China’s independent refineries, known as "teapots," may absorb