The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Crippling the Kremlin with Russian Sanctions || Peter Zeihan
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Nov 18, 2025 Sanctions on Russia's energy sector are discussed, revealing significant impacts from the Trump administration's policies. Key players like Rosneft and Lukoil are scrutinized, highlighting their financial struggles and the necessity of divesting international assets. Hungary's exemption under Viktor Orban raises questions about energy reliance while Rosneft's technical weaknesses jeopardize complex projects. The potential shutdown of the Sakhalin LNG project could signal further operational challenges for Russia. It's a gripping examination of geopolitics and energy dynamics!
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Sanctions Target Russia's Dollar Lifeline
- The Trump administration sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, effectively cutting them off from U.S. dollar finance and global markets.
- That move can cripple Russian energy access because over 99.9% of crude trades in dollars and rely on U.S.-based finance.
Orban's Temporary Exemption Dance
- Viktor Orban secured a carve-out from U.S. sanctions to keep feeding Hungary with Russian crude, at least temporarily.
- The U.S. says it's a 12-month exemption while Hungary claims permanence, reflecting Trump's dealmaking ambiguity.
Shell Sale Attempt Foiled
- Lukoil planned to sell U.S. and Iraqi assets to Govnor, a Swiss trading shell tied to Russian interests, to evade sanctions.
- The U.S. Treasury blocked that route, forcing asset sales to genuinely non-Russian buyers instead.