Ukraine Urges EU to Strengthen Sanctions on Russia Amid U.S. Hesitation

Ukraine is urging the European Union to adopt more stringent sanctions against Russia, including asset seizures and secondary sanctions targeting foreign buyers of Russian oil. A 40-page Ukrainian white paper, set to be presented to EU officials, advocates for these measures to compensate for a perceived reduction in U.S. involvement under President Donald Trump. The paper also proposes reforms to enable majority decision-making within the EU to bypass individual member vetoes on sanctions. This push comes as the EU and UK have independently imposed new sanctions on Russia, focusing on its “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and financial institutions aiding sanction evasion. Ukraine seeks to “catalyze” EU leadership in maintaining pressure on Russia amid growing uncertainty over Washington’s future role.