EU Targets Russia With New Sanctions as Putin Blocks Ukraine Ceasefire

The European Union is preparing to roll out a 17th round of sanctions against Russia, as tensions continue to escalate over the ongoing war in Ukraine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the move on Thursday, emphasizing that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains the “sole obstacle” to achieving peace in the region.

In an interview with AFP, Barrot said the 27-member EU bloc is working closely with the United States to synchronize both the content and timing of upcoming sanctions packages.

“We Europeans will accompany this American initiative with a 17th package of sanctions,” he stated, referencing discussions held with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

The EU has already imposed an unprecedented series of sanctions on Moscow since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, targeting everything from the energy sector to financial institutions. Barrot reiterated that the EU will not consider lifting any of these sanctions until Russia fully and unconditionally withdraws its troops from Ukrainian territory.

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“It is now crystal clear that the only obstacle to peace today in Ukraine is Vladimir Putin,” Barrot asserted. He praised Ukraine’s recent moves, including its acceptance of an unconditional ceasefire and the signing of a key agreement on critical minerals with the United States. The deal, he noted, aligns with Ukraine’s broader vision of deepening economic ties with Western partners.

The agreement with Washington aims to develop and invest in Ukraine’s rich reserves of critical minerals, a vital step for the war-torn nation as it looks to rebuild its economy and strengthen its strategic alliances.

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Barrot added that the deal could also pave the way for future U.S. security guarantees — a top priority for Kyiv as it seeks to deter further aggression from Moscow.

Barrot hinted that France, too, could pursue similar cooperation with Ukraine. “France has strong expertise in rare earth minerals,” he noted, leaving open the possibility of a bilateral economic partnership focused on the mining and development of Ukraine’s natural resources.

While Ukraine moves toward international cooperation and economic recovery, Barrot pointed out that the Kremlin has shown no signs of willingness to engage in ceasefire talks or negotiate peace — despite repeated calls from the global community, including U.S. President Donald Trump and various European leaders.