Russia’s declaration of a partial mobilization and plans for occupied areas of Ukraine to hold referenda on joining Russia have raised the risk that Western countries will introduce harsher sanctions. “Mobilization would likely result in even greater Western unity on oil sector sanctions, and raise risks of tougher measures if crude prices weaken in the months ahead,” said Paul Sheldon, chief geopolitical adviser at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a partial mobilization order has been signed and measures will begin Sept. 21 in an address broadcast on Russian state TV. Authorities in Russian-occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia said Sept. 20 that they will hold referenda on joining Russia between Sept. 23 and 27. Western sanctions introduced against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine have had a major impact on commodity supplies and continue to cause major price volatility. Analysts already expected further disruptions […]