Russian oil companies are facing significant delays, up to several months, in receiving payments for crude oil and fuel from clients in China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. This situation has arisen as banks in these countries have become increasingly cautious due to fears of being hit by U.S. secondary sanctions. The tightening of sanctions compliance by these banks is a response to the heightened enforcement of restrictions aimed at penalizing entities engaging in transactions with sanctioned Russian firms. This development is part of a broader landscape of sanctions against Russia, including its direct oil shipments to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions. These shipments, reportedly in exchange for weapons, signify a deepening of ties between Russia and North Korea, further complicating international efforts to contain both Pyongyang's activities and Russia's energy sector.