EU imposes new sanctions on Russia amid Trump’s pressure for Ukraine war peace talks
The European Union has approved a fresh round of sanctions against Russia, marking its 16th package of measures since the start of the Ukraine war. The decision comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for Ukraine war peace talks negotiations to end the conflict, raising concerns about the long-term effectiveness of restrictive measures against Moscow.
New EU sanctions target Russian economy
On Wednesday, EU ambassadors reached an agreement to impose stricter economic restrictions on Russia. The decision was timed ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission plans to commemorate this milestone with a joint visit to Kyiv.
One of the key elements of the new sanctions is a ban on importing Russian primary aluminum. The EU had previously restricted certain aluminum products, such as wires and pipes, but this is the first time it has targeted raw aluminum. The decision was delayed in the past due to concerns over economic impact, as Russian aluminum accounts for approximately 6% of the EU’s imports. Over time, European manufacturers have reduced their reliance on Russian suppliers, making the latest move more feasible.
Crackdown on Russia’s “shadow fleet” and oil trade
The EU has also intensified its efforts to disrupt Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a group of old, uninsured tankers used to bypass Western sanctions on oil exports. These vessels have been linked to deceptive shipping practices, including disabling tracking devices and conducting multiple ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the origin of Russian oil.
Brussels has raised concerns over the fleet’s poor condition, fearing potential oil spills that could cause environmental disasters near European waters. Additionally, intelligence reports have accused these vessels of sabotage operations against underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. In response, the EU has blacklisted 73 more ships, bringing the total to 153. These vessels are now barred from entering EU ports and accessing European maritime services.
Financial and media sanctions expand
Beyond the energy sector, the latest sanctions package also targets Russia’s financial system and state-controlled media. Thirteen Russian banks have been cut off from the SWIFT international payment system, limiting their ability to conduct global transactions. Furthermore, eight Russian media outlets have had their broadcasting licenses revoked within the EU, citing their role in spreading disinformation about the Ukraine war.
Trump’s influence on EU sanctions policy
The EU’s decision comes amid growing pressure from Donald Trump’s administration, which is advocating for negotiations with Moscow. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential peace talks. He hinted that the EU might eventually need to negotiate sanction relief as part of a broader settlement.
“The EU will have to be at the table at some point because they have sanctions in place too,” Rubio stated, emphasizing that all sides would need to make concessions. However, he denied that Europe was being sidelined in the negotiation process.
Despite Trump’s push for diplomacy, the EU remains committed to its punitive approach for now. The new sanctions package is set for formal adoption on Monday when European foreign ministers meet in Brussels.
