EU increasing pressure on Trump to hit Russia with new sanctions - EU's top diplomat
Photo: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
The European Union is increasing pressure on US President Donald Trump to strike Russia with new sanctions. The conversation between the American leader and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, failed to secure Russia’s commitment to a ceasefire in Ukraine, states the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, according to The Independent.
"We all agreed and said ... that if they don't agree to an unconditional ceasefire, like Ukraine has agreed over 60 days ago, there will be strong action. And that is what we want to see from all the parties who have said that they will act in accordance," Kallas said.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, when the EU and Britain introduced new sanctions packages against Russia, the EU’s top diplomat said, "We really haven't seen, you know, the pressure on Russia from these talks."
US sanctions against Russia
Recently, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the United States and Europe will decisively strengthen sanctions against Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not engage in peace talks with Ukraine "in the spirit of goodwill."
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said he would move forward with sanctions against Russia if the negotiations with Ukraine fail. In his opinion, the sanctions would be devastating for Russia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that Washington has given Moscow time to make progress in peace talks, but patience is running out — a decision on sanctions is already underway.
However, after a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, Trump said he does not currently want to increase sanction pressure on Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. But he did not rule out using such a mechanism in the future.
