EU leaders have approved a fresh sanctions package against Russia, reaffirming their commitment to Kyiv while widening the transatlantic rift with President Donald Trump, who is pushing for a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine.
The new measures, which target Russia’s aluminium and oil exports, come as Brussels grows concerned that Trump could ease US sanctions on Moscow as part of a peace deal with President Vladimir Putin—potentially sidelining Europe from the negotiations.
Concerns over US-Russia talks
Following the first formal round of US-Russia peace talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that EU sanctions on Russia’s economy, defence sector, and key officials could be a bargaining chip in future negotiations.
“The European Union is going to have to be at the table at some point, because they have sanctions as well that have been imposed,” Rubio told reporters.
In a statement largely echoed by Moscow, the US State Department said that Tuesday’s talks aimed to “lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities” after a potential peace deal in Ukraine.
EU forges independent path
European officials are increasingly worried about maintaining economic pressure on Russia if Washington moves to lift its own restrictions. “There’s deep concern about how we [the EU] can keep up economic pressure on Russia if the US delinks its sanctions from ours,” said an EU official involved in the package.
Most Western sanctions against Russia since 2022 have been coordinated by the G7 to maximize their impact. However, in internal discussions, EU diplomats have emphasized the need to maintain their stance, regardless of Trump’s decisions.
“We must continue to forge our path on Ukraine, despite what any other ally chooses to do,” a senior EU diplomat stated.
Rubio has privately assured European diplomats that he supports further restrictions on Russia to keep up pressure during negotiations, according to two officials familiar with the talks. However, they acknowledged that his position may not align with Trump’s.
Details of the new sanctions package
The EU’s 16th sanctions package since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022 includes:
- A phased-in ban on imports of Russian aluminium products
- Further restrictions on crude oil sales
- Sanctions on 73 shadow fleet tankers used to bypass Western restrictions
- Penalties on 13 Russian banks
- Measures against dozens of individuals and companies aiding Russia’s war effort
The package was approved by ambassadors from all 27 EU member states on Wednesday and is expected to be formally adopted by foreign ministers next week.
“We keep supporting Ukraine and we keep sanctioning the Russian aggressor, because this is the right thing to do—preserving international rules and order, defending sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” an EU diplomat said.
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