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Ukraine Urges EU to Intensify Sanctions on Russia Amid Uncertainty Over U.S. Support
Ukraine to ask EU for stronger measures against Russia, including asset seizures and secondary sanctions on Russian oil buyers, as US pulls back on new sanctions.
ND
by News Desk
2025-05-21
Ukraine Urges EU to Intensify Sanctions on Russia Amid Uncertainty Over U.S. Support

Ukraine plans to present a comprehensive white paper to the European Union next week, urging the 27-member bloc to adopt stronger and more independent sanctions against Russia. This comes amid uncertainty surrounding the United States’ future role in sanctioning Moscow, following President Donald Trump’s decision to delay tightening measures.

The Ukrainian document calls for new EU legislation to expedite the seizure of assets from sanctioned individuals, with those assets transferred to Ukraine, and for the introduction of secondary sanctions targeting companies and countries—such as India and China—that buy Russian oil. Such secondary sanctions would mark a significant escalation, as Europe has so far been cautious about extending sanctions beyond its borders.

Ukraine also advocates for reforms in EU decision-making, suggesting a move toward majority voting on sanctions to prevent individual member states from blocking efforts that require unanimity.

This push follows Trump’s recent decision not to impose fresh sanctions on Russia after his phone call with Vladimir Putin, despite lobbying from European leaders and Kyiv. While the EU and Britain have imposed new sanctions independently, they continue to hope for renewed U.S. cooperation.

The white paper highlights concerns over the Trump administration’s declining engagement with sanctions enforcement and export controls, noting dissolved federal task forces and reduced staffing. Two potential U.S. sanctions packages remain uncertain pending Trump’s approval.

A senior Ukrainian official warned that U.S. withdrawal from coordinated sanctions efforts would deal a major blow to EU unity. Still, experts note that even without Washington, Europe wields significant leverage over Russia.

 
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Russia

Ukraine

EUSanctions

EnergySanctions
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