Russia supplies more of the EU’s oil and gas than it does coal.

At one point, a ruble was worth a fraction of a penny. Demand for energy exports has helped, but Russia’s economy is still in recession.

The Biden administration is considering secondary sanctions on Russia – and its supporters.

China has experience serving as a sort of middleman for sanctioned nations like North Korea and Iran, one expert says.

Until the recent moves against Russia, Iran faced more sanctions than any country.

The Chinese government is opposed to sanctions against Russia and says it will continue to trade with it. But that is not easy in practice.

Russia’s economy relies on imported tech, like aircraft parts and semiconductors. That leaves it vulnerable as sanctions multiply.

Sanctions represent an existential threat for Russia’s elite, says sociologist Brooke Harrington.

Their fates and fortunes are tied closely to Vladimir Putin’s.

Oil and gas are key to the Russian economy, yet penalties are focused elsewhere. Could that stance change?