Europeans announce fresh sanctions on Russian economy, trade in latest push to end Ukraine war

The European Union unveiled sweeping new sanctions targeting Russia’s economy and energy trade Friday, days after President Trump urged NATO nations to halt all oil purchases from Moscow.

The bloc’s 19th proposed sanctions package also follows a wave of Russian drone and missile barrages against Ukraine and recent airspace intrusions in Poland, Romania and Estonia as leaders aim to choke off Kremlin President Vladimir Putin’s war funding and end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

“Again and again, President Putin has escalated. And in response, Europe is increasing its pressure,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in a video statement. 

“It’s time to turn off the tap. I now call on member states to quickly endorse these new sanctions. We want Russia to leave the battlefield and come to the negotiation table, and this is the way to give peace a real chance.”

The plan would ban Russian liquified natural gas imports to Europe by 2027; pressure foreign firms, including those based in China, to curb business with Moscow; and target crypto platforms used to bypass sanctions.

Von der Leyen said the 27-nation EU has already been laying the groundwork by reducing Russian energy use, broadening its supply source, and boosting low-carbon investments.

“We are now going after those who fuel Russia’s war by purchasing oil in breach of the sanctions,” she said.

“We target refineries, oil traders, petrochemical companies in third countries, including China. In three years, Russia’s oil revenues in Europe have gone down by 90%. We are now turning that page for good.”

Sanctions would also be slapped on 118 more vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet, bringing the total number of affected ships to 560.

The proposal would further block exports of battlefield technologies, including drones, and hit more than 45 additional companies in Russia and abroad for backing the Kremlin’s military adventures.

“In a war driven by innovation, cutting off Russia’s access to key technologies is crucial,” Von der Leyen pressed.

“Above all when it comes to drones.”

The latest package requires bloc approval, a process that could take weeks.

The move comes after Trump recently said he wants European nations to boycott Russian energy to ratchet up pressure on Putin to come to the table before the US takes action.

Two European countries — Hungary and Slovakia — still import Russian oil to meet the bulk of their energy needs.