Russia EU relies on joint pressure after Trump tirade against Putin
The EU is relying on a coordinated approach with partners such as the USA when imposing new sanctions against Russia.
26.05.2025, 13:35
SDA
"It is up to us to exert pressure on Russia so that the will for peace also emerges there," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas on the fringes of a ministerial meeting in Brussels. Europe is prepared to do this and hopes that other international partners will follow suit.
Kallas described the recent Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kiev as "absolutely appalling". It was obvious that Russia had increased the pressure on Ukraine, she said.
The currently planned EU package of new sanctions against Russia should lead to the exclusion of more banks from the Swift financial communication system and make Russia's international oil trade even more difficult. Measures are also planned to prevent the Nord Stream gas pipelines from resuming operations in the long term.
Hopes for a joint approach between the European Union and the USA were raised in Brussels at the start of the week by statements made by US President Donald Trump. He criticized Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin as "absolutely crazy" with regard to the latest Russian attacks. When asked by a journalist whether he was also considering new sanctions against Russia, Trump said: "Absolutely, he's killing a lot of people, I don't know what's wrong with him."
