EU Plans New Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine Conflict

The European Union is gearing up for yet another round of sanctions against Russia as the Ukraine conflict continues, now extending beyond three and a half years. This will mark the 19th round of sanctions aimed at responding to the ongoing war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss potential steps toward resolving the conflict. During his visit, Zelenskyy has gathered support from key European leaders, emphasizing the importance of unified Western sanctions as a critical measure against Russia’s economic capabilities.

“As long as fighting persists in Ukraine, Europe will keep up its diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia. We are committed to enhancing our sanctions,” Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission’s President, stated during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy.

The upcoming sanctions package is expected to be announced in early September, and von der Leyen expressed confidence that they would be impactful. She also mentioned ongoing efforts related to Russian assets which would be directed towards Ukraine’s interests and aimed at putting further pressure on Russia’s war economy to encourage negotiations.

Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for von der Leyen’s commitment to imposing additional sanctions, stating, “Sanctions illustrate our seriousness in this matter.”

In a show of solidarity with Ukraine, several European leaders will participate in the meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy.

Since the onset of the war, Russia has become one of the most sanctioned countries in history, facing extreme economic isolation. The U.S. has targeted Russia heavily with financial sanctions, with 1,706 individuals added to a list maintained by the Treasury Department as of 2024. Alarmingly, Russia has been at the center of most U.S. sanctions, constituting around 70% of new entries on this blacklist.

The EU’s latest sanctions package, introduced in July, focused on areas such as Russia’s energy revenue, military industry, and exposed weaknesses within their economy. In this recent update, the EU blacklisted 444 vessels linked to what has been dubbed a “ghost fleet” — a concealed network of tankers allegedly transporting Russian oil in defiance of G7 price caps and existing EU sanctions. Overall, these measures have impacted more than 2,500 individuals.