EU Chief and Trump Discuss Intensifying Economic Pressure on Russia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that she and US President Donald Trump discussed further measures to increase economic pressure on Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Key Highlights of the Discussion

• Von der Leyen stated on X (formerly Twitter): “I had a good call with [Trump] on strengthening our joint efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia through additional measures.”
• She revealed that the European Commission will soon present proposals for the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, implemented since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• The upcoming sanctions are expected to target:
  • Cryptocurrency transactions
  • Banking institutions
  • Energy sectors

Trump’s Position

• Trump has urged allies to cease purchasing Russian oil before he takes further steps to punish Moscow.
• He has also called for tariffs on China as part of his broader economic strategy.

EU Actions and Future Plans

Von der Leyen highlighted the urgency of accelerating these measures: “Russia’s war economy, sustained by revenues from fossil fuels, is financing the bloodshed in Ukraine. To put an end to it, the [European] Commission will propose speeding up the phase-out of Russian fossil imports.”

Strategic Implications

• The EU and the US are coordinating closely to tighten economic constraints on Moscow.
• By targeting financial flows and energy revenues, the sanctions aim to limit Russia’s ability to fund military operations in Ukraine.

This collaboration underscores the continued Western commitment to applying economic pressure while seeking faster implementation of sanctions against Russian fossil fuel imports.