EU and UK Impose New Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine War, Urge U.S. to Join

Last Updated May - 21 - 2025, 01:31 PM | Source : Fela News

The EU and UK announced fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s oil exports and finances after ceasefire talks failed. President Trump says he's weighing U.S. action

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the European Union and the United Kingdom announced new sanctions on Russia, focusing on its oil shipping “shadow fleet” and financial networks used to sidestep earlier sanctions. The move came a day after President Donald Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the measures, while EU officials, including German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, stressed that Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire warranted stronger action. European leaders urged the U.S. to join the sanctions push, but Washington has yet to act. President Trump, when asked, responded, “We’ll see,” offering no specific commitment.

The sanctions aim to restrict Russia’s oil exports that bypass a G7-imposed $60 per barrel price cap. The EU and UK also plan to push for lowering this cap further.

Talks between Russia and Ukraine held at Trump’s urging on May 16 failed, with Kyiv calling Moscow’s terms unacceptable. While Ukraine expressed readiness for a ceasefire, Russia insists on preliminary talks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said additional sanctions are in progress, stressing the need to intensify pressure on Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia maintained it would not yield to what it described as Western ultimatums.