The article highlights that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has persisted for over four years, resulting in substantial loss of life and financial strain on the regime, totaling billions of euros and rubles. Despite ongoing international sanctions, fossil fuels remain a crucial source of revenue for Russia, with a focus on countries in Central Europe continuing to import oil and gas from Moscow. The research conducted by the Helsinki-based organization CREA indicates that Russia has earned over one trillion euros from fossil fuel exports since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, which has enabled the country to bolster its military capabilities and carry out its aggressive actions against Ukraine.

The report discusses how approximately 700 billion euros of this income has come from oil exports, with a significant portion also arising from natural gas sales. The authors of the project assert that fossil fuel exports are a pivotal factor that allows Russia to strengthen its military power and execute brutal aggression, emphasizing the need for countries to reevaluate their energy purchases from Russia. The findings underscore the interconnectedness of global energy markets and conflicts, revealing that economic relationships can have profound implications on international security and sovereign responses to aggression.

The article calls for greater awareness and a reconsideration of energy dependencies to help undermine the financial underpinnings of Russian aggression. The continuing patronage of Russian fossil fuels by individual nations raises questions about the collective responsibility in addressing the issue of war financing and the ethical implications of sustaining such economic ties amid ongoing conflict. As the conflict evolves, the dialogue around energy independence and the moral obligations of nations in supporting or opposing aggressors remains critically relevant.