As the war in Ukraine drags on, the European Union is preparing a fresh round of sanctions aimed at intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The announcement came on Friday from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as leaders from across the continent gathered in Tirana, Albania, for a high-stakes European Political Community (EPC) summit.
Despite already having implemented 17 sanctions packages since Russia’s invasion began, von der Leyen made it clear that Europe cannot relent while the Kremlin continues to shun diplomatic solutions. “He does not want peace, so we have to increase the pressure,” she said, speaking directly about Putin’s ongoing defiance.
The new package under discussion would target several critical areas. Among the proposed measures are sanctions related to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines—Russian gas infrastructure built under the Baltic Sea, which was severely damaged by explosions in 2022.
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The EU also plans to clamp down further on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels reportedly used to bypass existing oil sanctions. Additionally, there is talk of lowering the price cap on Russian oil exports and tightening restrictions on the country’s financial sector.
However, getting all 27 EU member states to agree on new sanctions is proving increasingly difficult. Several diplomats have acknowledged the challenges of securing unanimous support, especially as the scope and impact of the sanctions deepen.
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The European push for tougher measures comes amid renewed but fragile diplomatic efforts. Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul on Friday for what was described as their first direct peace talks in over three years.
The talks follow a proposal by Putin for negotiations in Turkey, although he has declined to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in person, sending instead a delegation of mid-level officials—a move that has drawn criticism from NATO and other Western leaders.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not mince words, saying Putin “made a mistake by sending a low-level delegation,” suggesting it was another sign of the Kremlin’s lack of commitment to a genuine resolution.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment upon arriving in Tirana, calling out Putin for “dragging his heels” and reiterating the need for international unity. “What we saw yesterday and overnight is yet more evidence that Putin is not serious about peace,” Starmer said. “There must be a ceasefire, but if that doesn’t happen, then we must act together—especially on sanctions.”
The message coming out of Tirana is clear: Europe is prepared to act decisively and in coordination with allies, including the United States, should Russia continue to resist a peaceful resolution. While diplomatic talks in Istanbul may offer a glimmer of hope, the prevailing sentiment in Europe remains one of cautious realism. Without real commitment from Moscow, sanctions appear to be the most powerful tool left on the table.
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