The European Union and the United Kingdom have announced coordinated packages of sanctions against Russia in a bid to ramp up pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine.
The packages, which were unveiled Tuesday, May 20, 2025, will see both the EU and the UK taking aim at Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers that illicitly transport oil to circumvent Western restrictions, with Brussels targeting 189 ships.
The UK’s wide-ranging package will also target the supply chains of Russian weapons systems, including Iskander missiles and Kremlin-funded information operations.
The UK said that its sanctions would target dozens of entities “supporting Russia’s military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions helping to fund Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.”
The Foreign Office said that Russian President, Vladimir Putin “has so far not put in place the full, unconditional ceasefire that President Trump has called for, and which President Zelenskyy endorsed over two months ago.”
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said that an 18th package of sanctions was already being prepared by the EU, to follow the newly adopted 17th, with further meaningful measures.
She posted on X, after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “It’s time to intensify the pressure on Russia to bring about the ceasefire.”
After announcing their measures, Brussels and London both suggested that more sanctions could follow, and France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for further action to “push Vladimir Putin to put an end to his imperialist fantasy.”
Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius said that Putin is “clearly playing for time; unfortunately we have to say Putin is not really interested in peace.”
This came as diplomatic momentum to reach a ceasefire accelerates.
The coordinated action also came a day after United States President, Donald Trump failed to secure a promise for a ceasefire in Ukraine from Putin in the pair’s highly anticipated phone call on Monday – without any corresponding steps from Washington, despite intense lobbying from European leaders and Zelenskyy.
Eager to set the terms, Putin said after the call that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum about a future peace accord, saying that discussions on the memorandum would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire.
The Kremlin’s Zakharova told reporters, “the ball is in Kyiv’s court,” adding that she hoped Ukraine would take a constructive position on the proposed memorandum for the sake of its own “self-preservation.”
Trump had indicated on Monday following his call with Putin that the US was not ready to join European sanctions efforts.
Zelenskyy Welcomes EU sanctions
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a social post, welcomed the EU sanctions.
“It is important to severely restrict the Russian tanker fleet, which serves to finance killings, as well as all schemes that Russia uses to build up its military industry.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine had no doubt the war “must end at the negotiating table” but added that there must be clear and realistic proposals on the table and called for more pressure on Russia.
“We are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently. Sanctions matter, and I am grateful to everyone who makes them more tangible for the perpetrators of the war.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Tuesday that it was “obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation.”
Responding to the sanctions, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova said that Russia would never bow to ultimatums from anyone, adding that it was clear Europe wanted to re-arm Ukraine to continue the war.
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