EU, Britain hit Russia with new sanctions without US

The European Union and the United Kingdom on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions targeting Russia, taking action independently of the United States just a day after a phone call between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The new measures from London and Brussels focus on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and financial entities that have helped Moscow circumvent existing sanctions related to the ongoing war.

“Sanctions have an impact, and I thank everyone working to make them more effective against the war’s perpetrators,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.

While Europe moved ahead with the sanctions, the United States did not immediately follow suit, despite significant public pressure from European leaders urging the Trump administration to align with their efforts.

“We have consistently demanded one thing from Russia: an unconditional, immediate ceasefire,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Since Russia has not agreed to such a truce, he added, a response is necessary. “We expect our U.S. partners to stand with us.”

Last Friday, Russia and Ukraine engaged in direct talks for the first time in over three years, following a request by Trump. However, the negotiations collapsed after Russia issued demands that a Ukrainian delegate described as “non-starters.”

Ukraine says it is prepared to accept Trump’s proposed immediate ceasefire, but Moscow insists on negotiations first. European leaders argue that this demonstrates Putin’s unwillingness to end a war he started by invading Ukraine in 2022.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had spoken with Zelenskiy and that a new round of sanctions was already in preparation. “We must ramp up pressure on Russia to force a ceasefire,” she posted on X.

‘No to Ultimatums’

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded that Moscow would not yield to threats or ultimatums.

Following his conversation with Trump, Putin claimed Russia was open to working with Ukraine on a memorandum for a future peace deal. “Now the next move is up to Kyiv,” Zakharova said.

European leaders have been lobbying hard to bring the Trump administration on board with sanctions. Earlier this month, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Poland visited Kyiv and were filmed speaking to Trump via speakerphone alongside Zelenskiy. Several of them also contacted Trump ahead of his call with Putin to urge him to act if Moscow refused a ceasefire.

Both Brussels and London signaled continued hope that Washington might still join the effort.

“Let us apply pressure on Vladimir Putin to abandon his imperial ambitions,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

UK Foreign Minister David Lammy echoed this sentiment, stating, “Delaying peace only strengthens our determination to support Ukraine and tighten sanctions to cripple Putin’s war machine.”

The latest sanctions primarily target Russia’s covert shipping network used to export oil, thereby bypassing the G7-imposed $60-per-barrel price cap intended to limit Russian revenue. The EU and UK also expressed their intention to lower the cap further, noting that falling global oil prices have reduced its effectiveness.

Trump, following his Monday conversation with Putin, said both sides were open to beginning negotiations. Putin, meanwhile, said the talks would require time.