EU Imposes New Sanctions on Russia

The European Union (EU) announced a new set of sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, as member countries seek to maintain pressure amid US negotiations with Russia. The comprehensive package, which includes a ban on the import of Russian aluminum, is expected to be formally adopted by EU foreign ministers on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

This marks the EU’s 16th round of sanctions on Russia and comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has undermined support for Ukraine and its European allies by engaging in talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the war.

“The EU is clamping down even harder on circumvention by targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export bans,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X.

“We are committed to keeping up the pressure on the Kremlin.”

In addition to targeting Russia’s lucrative aluminum sector, the new measures focus on the so-called “shadow fleet,” which is used to bypass restrictions on Russian oil exports. As part of the sanctions, 73 more aging vessels will be blacklisted. The EU will also disconnect 13 additional Russian banks from the global SWIFT payment system and ban eight more Russian media outlets from broadcasting in Europe.

The EU is scrambling to respond as Trump has shifted three years of unwavering US support for Kyiv by initiating talks with Moscow. US and Russian officials held their first meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, aiming to set the stage for a potential deal on Ukraine.

European nations are eager to ensure their voices are heard, fearing that a poor agreement could embolden Moscow and allow them to claim victory. The US has acknowledged that the EU will eventually need to play a role in negotiations due to the sanctions it has imposed on Russia.