Ukraine calls on EU for more sanctions as US eases pressure on Russia

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 May 2025 15:01
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Ukraine calls on the EU to seize Russian assets, enforce secondary sanctions on oil buyers, and adopt a more independent stance as Trump eases US pressure on Moscow.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks on the phone during a meeting at the European Political Community summit in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, on May 16, 2025. (AP)

Ukraine is preparing to present a 40-page white paper to the European Union next week, urging the bloc to adopt far-reaching new sanctions against Russia. The proposal comes amid growing uncertainty over US foreign policy, particularly after President Donald Trump backed away from increasing sanctions on Moscow.

According to Reuters, the document calls on the EU to take a more independent and assertive stance by introducing legislation to expedite the seizure of Russian assets and redirect them to Ukraine. The white paper will argue that sanctioned individuals could later seek compensation from Russia, rather than from EU states.

Kiev proposes seizure of Russian assets, secondary sanctions

Among the white paper’s boldest proposals is the call for secondary sanctions on foreign buyers of Russian oil, potentially targeting countries like India and China. The document also urges the EU to penalize foreign firms using European technology to support Moscow’s military or economic infrastructure.

Additionally, the paper encourages reforms to the EU’s sanctions decision-making process, including the adoption of majority voting to avoid the current unanimity requirement, which has at times stalled critical measures.

It is worth noting that the proposal comes a day after the European Union formally adopted its 17th round of sanctions against Russia, focusing on nearly 200 tankers in Moscow’s so-called "shadow fleet" and warning of further penalties if Russia continues to reject a Ukraine ceasefire.

The latest package, already endorsed by member states last week, also includes asset freezes and visa bans on dozens of additional Russian officials, along with new measures targeting Russia over alleged hybrid attacks within the EU.

Trump's reversal on sanctions raises concerns

Ukraine’s proposals come just days after Trump opted not to impose new US sanctions on Russia following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. European leaders, who had lobbied Trump to increase pressure, were left disappointed.

Though the EU and Britain imposed additional sanctions on Moscow this week, Trump’s decision not to act immediately has sparked fresh concerns in Kiev and across Europe.

The Ukrainian white paper describes the US as having "ceased participation" in most multilateral sanctions platforms and warns of declining US leadership, highlighting that two major US sanctions packages remain unsigned: one by the administration and another drafted by Senator Lindsey Graham.

Kiev warns of potential blow to EU unity

Ukrainian officials fear that waning US engagement could lead to divisions within the EU on sanctions policy. "American withdrawal from the sanctions regime would be a huge blow to the unity of the EU. Huge," a senior Ukrainian official told Reuters.

Despite the EU’s limited ability to match US economic leverage, Kiev believes a firm European stance could still prevent Russia from regaining investor confidence, even if Washington relaxes its restrictions.

"Europe holds a lot more cards than you'd think," said Craig Kennedy, a Russian energy expert at Harvard's Davis Center, reinforcing Ukraine's call for Brussels to step up.