EU capitals have agreed a fresh sanctions package against Russia, as Brussels vows to step up pressure on Moscow and increase its support for Kyiv despite a rapid push by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine.
The new measures targeting Russia’s aluminium and oil exports come as Brussels fears Trump could ease US sanctions on Moscow as part of a peace deal struck with President Vladimir Putin without Europe’s involvement.
After the first formal day of US-Russia peace talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, US secretary of state Marco Rubio hinted that EU restrictions on Russia’s economy, defence industry, and oligarchs and officials who help to maintain the war could be part of the negotiations.