The U.S. government has allowed U.S. companies to continue to buy Russian oil through third-country banks, which have not joined sanctions on Russia.

In fact, American companies will now pay Russian oil to unrelated banks, and that money will then be transferred to Russia. Bankers in Hong Kong have already offered lucrative terms as intermediaries.

In essence, Americans will now pay more for Russian oil, China-controlled banks will get lot's of $$$, and Russia will get as much money as before.

It is what it is...