EU prepares ‘plan B’ to uphold Russia sanctions as Trump signals potential withdrawal from Ukraine talks

EU prepares ‘plan B’ to uphold Russia sanctions as Trump

The European Union is drawing up contingency plans to maintain sanctions against Russia in case the Trump administration abandons its mediation role in Ukraine and seeks rapprochement with Moscow, according to the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.

As reported by The Financial Times, the EU’s high representative for foreign and security policy acknowledged rising concerns in Brussels that US President Donald Trump may walk away from efforts to broker peace in Ukraine after failing to secure a deal in his first 100 days in office. Both Kyiv and Moscow have rejected key parts of Washington’s proposed framework.

“It’s a question whether the Americans will want to leave,” Kallas told the Financial Times. “We see signs that they are contemplating whether they should leave Ukraine and not try to get a deal with the Russians because it’s hard.”

Washington considers stepping back

A spokesperson for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that if no progress is made, the US would consider stepping back from its role as mediator. This potential pivot has sparked alarm in European capitals, where leaders worry that a US-Russia thaw could fracture the united Western front on sanctions and embolden Russia to solidify territorial gains.

Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of lifting sanctions against Moscow as part of a broader peace agreement and has shown interest in reviving energy and business cooperation with Russia—moves that could leave EU companies disadvantaged if US firms are allowed to re-enter the Russian market while European businesses remain barred.

Sanctions at risk of unravelling

A particular threat looms from within the EU itself. Hungary, a vocal critic of continued sanctions, has signalled it may veto the renewal of the bloc’s economic measures against Russia, which are due for extension in July. Unanimity among member states is required for the sanctions to remain in place.

Kallas confirmed that Brussels is exploring a “plan B” in case of such a veto. One potential workaround previously reported by the Financial Times involves national governments maintaining sanctions independently—such as Belgium freezing €190 billion in Russian assets through a royal decree.

But Kallas downplayed the likelihood of this route, stating, “Belgium will not do something nationally,” and emphasised that the EU’s focus remains on maintaining unity through a shared approach.

Internal divisions and transatlantic strain

While Kallas insisted that “plan A” remains the priority, she acknowledged growing unease in some EU capitals about continuing support for Ukraine. “It is clear that these types of discussions are going on in certain member states and maybe hopes that we don’t really have to support [Ukraine] any more,” she said, warning that such thinking ignores Russia’s aggressive military posture.

Kallas also pushed back on any suggestion that the EU would follow the US if it recognised Crimea as Russian territory—an element reportedly floated in US proposals that remains a major red line for Kyiv.

“I can’t see that we are accepting these kind of things,” she said. “Crimea is Ukraine.”

Financial help possible, military harder

While the EU could step up financially if the US pulls back, Kallas admitted that filling the gap militarily would be difficult. “In terms of military support, of course it’s harder to fill the gap if the Americans are leaving,” she said.

Still, she expressed hope that ongoing transatlantic dialogue would prevent a breakdown. “We are trying to convince them why the outcome of this war is also in their interest—that Russia doesn’t really get everything that it wants.”

Kallas concluded by urging the US to use its leverage over Russia to halt the war. “President Trump has said that he wants the killing to stop. He should put the pressure on the one who is doing the killing.”