Sovereignty, sanctions and legal complexities of buying oil from a state at war

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has prompted governments worldwide to reshape global energy flows through sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and economic incentives. These actions reflect political and strategic choices, but they also raise deeper questions about the legal foundations of energy governance, the limits of external pressure, and the balance between state sovereignty and collective security. Understanding this balance is essential, as energy markets are deeply intertwined with global stability, economic recovery, and international norms.

- PROF. ABHINAV MEHROTRA & DR. BISWANATH GUPTA

PERMANENT SOVEREIGNTY OVER NATURAL RESOURCES

A central principle of international energy law is the doctrine of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources (PSNR), articulated in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1803 (1962). PSNR affirms that states retain full authority over the exploration, development, and sale of their natural resources. Under general international law, states are not legally required to stop purchasing oil from a country engaged in armed conflict. Decisions to restrict trade based on geopolitical considerations, human rights concerns, or alliance commitments are political choices rather than legal obligations. Only sanctions adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) create binding duties for all states.

THE ROLE OF SANCTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY