The EU and the UK have unveiled new sanctions against Russia, acting independently of Washington, just one day after President Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin failed to yield a ceasefire in Ukraine or new US sanctions.
London and Brussels announced that their latest measures would specifically target Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and financial institutions aiding in evading existing sanctions related to the conflict.
“Sanctions are significant, and I appreciate everyone who makes them more palpable for the offenders of this war,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed on Telegram.
He noted it “would be beneficial” if the US could contribute further, emphasizing: “It is vital for America to remain engaged in the process of advancing peace.”
Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of sanctions against Russia.
“We have consistently expressed our demand for Russia – an immediate ceasefire without preconditions,” stated German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during a meeting with EU officials in Brussels.
As Russia has not accepted a ceasefire, “we will need to respond,” he added. “We also rely on our US allies to take a stand on this.”
Mr. Trump mentioned to reporters that he was considering various actions but did not provide specific details. “We’re looking at numerous options, but we will see,” he said.
In a two-hour discussion with Mr. Putin, the US president softened his earlier demand for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, indicating that the conflict he once vowed to resolve in a day was no longer solely his responsibility – a message that leaves Ukraine exposed and raises concerns among its allies.
When asked why he had not imposed new sanctions to pressure Moscow into a peace agreement, Mr. Trump remarked that doing so might exacerbate the situation and hinder the possibility of a deal, although he added, “At some point, that may occur.”
After speaking with Mr. Putin, Mr. Trump informed Mr. Zelensky and European leaders that Russia and Ukraine would commence negotiations on ceasefire conditions, a process that Moscow claimed would take time.
Russia and Ukraine engaged in their first direct discussions in over three years on Friday at the request of Mr. Trump, but failed to reach an agreement on a truce after Moscow presented terms described by a Ukrainian delegate as “non-starters.”
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Pope expresses willingness to host talks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that Pope Leo XIV had confirmed his readiness to host the next round of negotiations in the Vatican aimed at attempting to resolve the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a congressional hearing that Mr. Putin hadn’t received any meaningful concessions from US efforts to initiate discussions and that existing US sanctions on Russia remained intact.
“The president … believes that right now, if we begin to threaten sanctions, the Russians will stop the dialogue, and there’s merit in maintaining communication to encourage them to reach the table. We’ll see,” Mr. Rubio noted.
Ukraine asserts it is prepared for an immediate ceasefire. European officials argue that Russia’s insistence on initial talks demonstrates that Mr. Putin, who began the conflict by invading his neighbor in 2022, is not inclined to conclude it. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned that a new package of sanctions was in development.
“It’s essential to increase pressure on Russia to achieve a ceasefire,” she stated on X.
Just had a conversation with @ZelenskyyUa.
We are coordinating closely on the next steps.
Europe has just enacted its 17th package of stringent sanctions.
An 18th package is in the works with even more impactful sanctions.
It’s crucial to intensify pressure on Russia to…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 20, 2025
Russia refuses to submit to ultimatums
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would never yield to what she termed ultimatums.
Mr. Putin indicated yesterday that Moscow is willing to collaborate with Ukraine on a memorandum regarding a future peace treaty. “The ball is now in Kyiv’s court,” Ms. Zakharova remarked.
Brussels and London have indicated they have not abandoned their hopes of swaying Washington.
“Let’s compel Vladimir Putin to end his imperialistic aspirations,” stated France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Britain’s Foreign Minister David Lammy added, “Postponing peace efforts will only intensify our determination to assist Ukraine in defending itself and utilizing our sanctions to curb Putin’s war machine.”
The latest sanctions are primarily aimed at disrupting a shipping fleet that Russia employs to export oil, evading a $60 per barrel price cap imposed by the G7 nations to limit Russia’s revenue.
Britain and the EU also indicated they would work to lower the cap, which now allows for significantly less of a discount on Russian oil due to the decline in global prices this year.
