The EU has intensified its focus on sanctions circumvention and the supply of Russian oil in a clear signal that the energy crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will not weaken its efforts to sever Russian cashflows. The package was drawn up before the conflict in Iran, but was delayed by negotiations over a damaged pipeline to Hungary.

Ruth Prickett graduated from Cambridge University with a BA hons in History and has specialized in business and finance journalism for the past 20 years. She was editor of Financial Management, the magazine...