Britain Stands Like a Rock — No Sanctions Will Be Lifted, But Shanks Already Talking About 'Flexibility'

The US has quietly lifted sanctions on Russian oil trade, which is about as surprising as news that it's windy in Liepāja. British Minister Shanks' reaction was as diplomatic as a mayor's holiday speech — lots of words, little clarity.

'We are absolutely not softening sanctions,' the minister announced on BBC Radio, which is about as believable as a promise that St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral will only use ornaments for major holidays. Theoretically yes, but in practice... well, we'll see.

The Strait of Hormuz gets blocked faster than Pētera Street on Saturday after midnight, and oil prices have risen as sharply as Liepāja residents' pride when someone honors our city on national television. A fifth of the world's oil can't flow out, but Shanks reassures that they'll stand firm on principles.

'We support Ukraine,' the minister added, which is as clear a statement as Liepāja's weather forecast — obviously there's something with wind, but the details remain unclear. Local expert Aldis commented: 'Well okay, but what's real there? If the Americans are already giving up, then what do the Brits want to prove with their talk?'