The paramount objective is Economic stability by controlling/managing global oil price volatility; everything else is secondary (i.e. Realpolitik). That is why

The paramount objective is Economic stability by controlling/managing global oil price volatility; everything else is secondary (i.e. Realpolitik). That is why the sanctions are full of loopholes for various European countries (see [1] below). 1) The disillusionment and hope of Western sanctions against Russia - https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/disillusionment-russia-sanctions/ https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/disillusionment-russia-sa... 2) The impact of Russia–Ukraine war on crude oil prices: an EMC framework - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02526-9 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02526-9